They've had layoffs and they've announced a relocation to Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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XXX p--n
Is the facility staying open?
The comment that there are no suitable facilities in or near Sarasota is a joke. There are plenty of facilities to perform the assembly and test of recorders in that area. It's purely a consolidation move to the detriment of that community.
Any updates
The Sarasota facility is leased, old, and way too big. It requires more and more maintenance. There apparently are no alternative locations available in the area that would suit the size and needs of the Sarasota operation. It's my understanding that the Grand Rapids location is too big but it is owned and would not be easy to sell. For the last 2 years or so, when Sarasota got too busy they'd ship personnel down from Grand Rapids to 'help'. That means these people probably didn't have enough work in Grand Rapids. These people were training and learning for the eventual move of the Sarasota business to Grand Rapids. The compartmentalization and documentation of the Sarasota business processes and operations began about 5 years ago in preparation for this move.
Wow... moving AWAY from Florida is the opposite direction from the rest of the industry. Wonder if Michigan is offering tax incentives.
Of those still in Sarasota, FL: 1) Some employees are being offered relocation to Grand Rapids, MI; and 2) some are being incentivized to remain in Sarasota, FL to the bitter end. Those in group 2) will eventually get laid off with severance. Those not in groups 1) or 2) will likely get laid off some time before the bitter end.
Flight recorders (and ship-based recorders) have been manufactured at the L-3 Aviation Recorders division in Sarasota, FL for decades. "Aviation Products" is a recent (last year or two) reorganization grouping several L-3 divisional operations related to aviation. "Aviation Products" includes the Sarasota location and a facility in Grand Rapids, MI. Several rounds of layoffs have occurred in Sarasota, FL and it was announced that the recorders business is moving to Grand Rapids and the Sarasota manufacturing facility will be closed.
I looked on the website, Aviation Products already has a facility in Grand Rapids. So it looks like this is more 'consolidation.' But from which location are the jobs being moved? Surely not Florida...
From where...