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SPRINGETTSBURY TOWNSHIP, YORK COUNTY -
Harley Davidson says it has a plan that would make the Final Assembly Plant in Springettsbury Township, York County competitive and sustainable long-term.
The plan, the result of a two-pronged study the company started earlier this year to determine whether Harley should restructure the plant, which Harley says is not competitive or viable long-term in its present form, or move it out of state, calls for a leaner, more focused operation in York County.
Under the plan, certain core operations would remain in place: the assembly of motorcycles, metal fabrication, and painting. Other work, such as chrome-plating, small-part stamping, and some sub-assembly jobs would be outsourced.
"Our preference has always been, and remains to be, to stay in York," says Harley spokesperson Pat Sweeney.
The plan also hinges on the union that represents the Harley employees ratifying a new labor deal. That vote is expected in December. The company is currently involved in negotiations with the union's bargaining committee. The company's final announcement regarding the future of the York plant will come by the end of the year.
Sweeney said the company considered a proposal the union made that would have retained some of the work the company plans to outsource. The company determined that the union proposal did not change its view of how the plant should be restructured.
Long time Harley rider, Rich Boehm, visiting the Harley Plant from Pittsburgh, worries about outsourcing certain tasks. He says, "it all depends where they outsource it, that's the problem and who's doing it."
Sweeney assures the product will not change, "we will continue to provide a quality product to our customers, nothing will change in terms of commitment to customers in providing high quality of an exciting Harley Davidson motorcycle they've built their dreams around, Sweeney said."
Sweeney also said that there are too many variables in play to make any speculation on how many jobs would be lost under the plan.
Attempts to reach the local union were unsuccessful.
The plan, the result of a two-pronged study the company started earlier this year to determine whether Harley should restructure the plant, which Harley says is not competitive or viable long-term in its present form, or move it out of state, calls for a leaner, more focused operation in York County.
Under the plan, certain core operations would remain in place: the assembly of motorcycles, metal fabrication, and painting. Other work, such as chrome-plating, small-part stamping, and some sub-assembly jobs would be outsourced.
"Our preference has always been, and remains to be, to stay in York," says Harley spokesperson Pat Sweeney.
The plan also hinges on the union that represents the Harley employees ratifying a new labor deal. That vote is expected in December. The company is currently involved in negotiations with the union's bargaining committee. The company's final announcement regarding the future of the York plant will come by the end of the year.
Sweeney said the company considered a proposal the union made that would have retained some of the work the company plans to outsource. The company determined that the union proposal did not change its view of how the plant should be restructured.
Long time Harley rider, Rich Boehm, visiting the Harley Plant from Pittsburgh, worries about outsourcing certain tasks. He says, "it all depends where they outsource it, that's the problem and who's doing it."
Sweeney assures the product will not change, "we will continue to provide a quality product to our customers, nothing will change in terms of commitment to customers in providing high quality of an exciting Harley Davidson motorcycle they've built their dreams around, Sweeney said."
Sweeney also said that there are too many variables in play to make any speculation on how many jobs would be lost under the plan.
Attempts to reach the local union were unsuccessful.
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