Posted on 08/04/2010 9:11:36 AM PDT by Bad~Rodeo
It's been quite a ride for Harley-Davidson (HOG). The iconic motorcycle company has been cranking out bikes since 1903, and it's one of only two major motorcycle manufacturers to have survived the Great Depression. The first Harley rolled off the line just one year after the first telegraph cable was laid across the Pacific Ocean, and nowadays you can log on to Harley's website to customize your "Hog" or find a dealer on your smart phone.
But now there's a rough road ahead for the company. The plant that cranks out Harley's choppers in Milwaukee may finally be at its breaking point after more than a century, with labor costs threatening to shutter the facility and end 107 years of tradition.
According to reports, Harley-Davidson warned employees in April that it would move its Wisconsin manufacturing operations if it could not cut millions of dollars from its production costs. That would mean the bikes known as "Milwaukee Iron" may have to get another nickname very soon.
Harley's CEO told The Associated Press the company will reach a decision on relocation within a month or two. Harley execs aren't necessarily going to leave the United States and are reportedly scouting out American locales outside of Wisconsin. There's also
(Excerpt) Read more at articles.moneycentral.msn.com ...
Looking for a right to work state?
To paraphrase David Crockett, Harley-Davidson should say to the unions: “You can go to Hell, we’re going to Texas.”
...next thing we’ll see is Mexican outsourcing and a new brand, Harlito’s.
I wonder what this will do to my Harley Davidson stock. I am two months away from my annual look at my portfolio.
I noticed a lot of harley stores have closed. I saw a sweet NOS Beull in the Rockford store for half price. They were a recipient of a lot of the “home refinance as ATM” money. Take that away and their customer base shrinks substantially. It also puts a lot of “used but like new” bikes on the market.
um... the wawatusa (I know I spelled it wrong) facility is not in millwaukee, and it is an power train plant, not a final assembly plant.
and what they churn out are not harley ‘choppers’. if they can’t get the simply stuff right, how can one trust the rest of the article.
So, you don’t think they’ll be relocating to California?
I was just at our County Fair and there was a booth devoted to a new American motorcycle that looked beautiful and cost way less than a Harley. I think it was called Liberty ??? I’m not a motorcycle lfan, but the machine looked well made on the surface. My husband (the engineer) remarked the same.
This will certainly be a blow to Milwaukee if this closure happens.
Harley!?!
107?
You didn’t look that old when we met for lunch!
Both Boeing and BMW found SC to be a friendly environment!
Close the union sh*thole down and move to SC or a conservative state. Is this why their engines have been so sh**ty for so long?> Young labor.
I am hoping someone on Haley Barbour’s staff is reading this. He would be preparing for a friendly visit real soon.
ping
I meant to say union labor not young.
Just sell it and go short!
LOL, I noticed same. Journalists think they are so smart but so frequently show themselves to be completely clueless. It really is a pathetic profession.
Hmmmm.... This could increase the sales value of my loaded 2002 Road King Classic. Good, I’ve been thinking about selling it because of health issues.
Thanks! I think you are right.
Harley ping
thanx for telling me that I am not alone;-) I’ve been to the wawatusa plant, and want to visit the York PA final assembly plant soon.
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