Posted on 11/06/2003 10:13:54 AM PST by Willie Green
For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.
STATESVILLE - In another blow to the hard-hit Carolinas manufacturing sector, an office supply factory considered a community mainstay will close next year, costing Iredell County about 325 jobs.
Hunt Corp., based in Philadelphia, Pa., will start phasing out positions at its Speedball Road plant probably in March and close the entire facility by July, said Bill Joachim, director of manufacturing.
The production of Boston-brand office supplies and X-Acto knives will move to Asia, most likely China, Joachim said.
Hunt's other Statesville operations, an art supply plant for Bienfang-brand art products and a distribution center, which together employ about 300 people, will remain open.
About 30 to 40 Speedball Road plant employees, who make framing products and Painters-brand markers, will keep their jobs but move to the Bienfang plant.
"Thank goodness we didn't lose all of (Hunt's operations), and Hunt-Bienfang will still stay a vital member of this community," said Danny Hearn, president of the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce.
Since 1957, when the Speedball Road plant opened, Hunt has supported every major community organization and nonprofit, including the United Way, Hearn said.
As foreign imports threatened Hunt's competitiveness in recent years, factory workers developed several cost-cutting measures in design and production, but the savings could not match outsourcing to Asia, Joachim said.
"The tremendous contribution that the associates at Speedball Road made, that's something that's very important to us here at Hunt, especially in management," Joachim said. "It is a very difficult decision (to close), and our people have responded very professionally."
The company is not sure what will happen to its 220,000-square-foot building, he said.
Statesville business leaders say they will work with Mitchell Community College and the N.C. Employment Security Commission to find new jobs, retraining grants and educational opportunities for laid-off workers.
Losing part of Hunt's operations is a "shock," said Jeff McKay, Greater Statesville Development Corp. president, but his industrial recruitment group will redouble its efforts to assist existing industries and attract new ones.
Since January 2001, the Carolinas have lost more than 180,000 manufacturing jobs.
About 2,034 people have lost manufacturing and other jobs in Iredell in the past three years, state figures show. The county unemployment rate for September was 6.4 percent; the September state average was 6 percent.
STAFF WRITER BRIDGETT NESBIT CONTRIBUTED TO THIS ARTICLE.
-- KATHRYN WELLIN, (704) 873-1055.
And we can expect to see our representation in the Senate introduce
A) another spending bill to help the citizens of North Carolina since they're out of a job or
B) a bill of some level that will stop the outflow of jobs from our state.
Hmmm, knowing our representation in the Senate, that's not really a decision now is it? Oh, but don't worry though Willie. I've been told by 'conservatives' that textiles and tobacco are dying off and we shouldn't worry about it. We're all going to get jobs in the IT industry!!
NC Taillight inspector and seatbelt checker ping!!! Get those roadside spots ready, looks like they're going fast...
CD
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