Harley threatens to leave Wisconsin

Added on Friday, August 6th, 2010 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments

Harley-Davidson could be set to end 107 years of manufacturing at its Wisconsin home after reportedly telling employees that the company will look to relocate if it cannot find costs savings at its Milwaukee HQ.

Associated Press in the US reports that Harley-Davidson had warned employees in April that it will move its Wisconsin manufacturing operations elsewhere if it cannot cut millions of dollars at the factories, although its operational HQ is likely to remain at the site where it was founded in 1903.

Harley chief executive Keith Wandell said the company will make its decision on whether to move in the next two months, although Harley executives are already scouting out locations in other states. The company, he said, would also be open to incentives to keep the 1,630 manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin.

The announcement is the latest proposed change in recent years for the troubled American manufacturer, which was hit hard by the economic recession due to combination of slow sales and toxic debts.

Last year, Harley-Davidson sold the Buell sports motorcycle brand and announced plans lay-off 2,800 workers and relocate the largest of its three plants in York, Pennsylvania.

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.