Sources say Nebraska plant to close
Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Newell Rubbermaid, the owner of the historic Vise-Grip brand and its plant in DeWitt, will tell the remaining 300-plus employees next week the plant is closing at the end of October, the Lincoln Journal Star is reporting.
The production will be transferred, at least in part, to China.
And with it will go a piece of Nebraska's 20th century industrial legacy and a big part of the village of DeWitt's livelihood and history.
If true, the closing is bound to be devastating for the Saline County village of 572, and for its region. DeWitt is about 16 miles northwest of Beatrice.
The Journal Star has based its report on information from an employee and a Nebraska civic leader. Both asked not be identified for fear of retaliation against plant employees.
Other plant workers told the Beatrice Daily Sun newspaper they have signed agreements not to disclose company information or risk being fired.
Employees told the Journal Star a meeting is set for Wednesday to announce news at the plant.
Village Board Chairman Randy Badman said the village has not been officially informed of anything. But he acknowledged the rumors and the common knowledge that employees expect an announcement this week.
The state of Nebraska's Workforce Development reaction team is expected to be at the plant next week to help people losing their jobs, the employee said.
But Terri Johnston, director of administrative services, for the state's Workforce Development agency, said she had no indication the state's team was alerted to the closing.
Under federal law, in most circumstances, companies are required to give the state and employees 60 days notice of a plant closing. The meeting Wednesday would be just short of 60 days to the end of October.
Company spokesman Ira Gleser refused to comment on what he called speculation and rumor about the plant. He would not confirm or deny plans for Wednesday's employee meeting.
Vise-Grip has a celebrated history in DeWitt and Nebraska.
Danish immigrant Bill Petersen developed his first pair of locking pliers in 1915, according to popular histories. He patented the device in 1924 and began production at his blacksmith shop in DeWitt.
By 1928, the company had more than 600 employees.
When Petersen died in 1962, his family took over. The business was eventually renamed American Tool Companies.
American Tool sold out in 2002 to Newell Rubbermaid, a minority owner since 1985. Since then, the DeWitt plant has operated under the name of Irwin Industrial Tools, a company American Tool bought in 1993.
Vise-Grip is one part of one brand, Irwin, that is among six tool brands produced by Newell Rubbermaid, more well known for its food containers.
The production will be transferred, at least in part, to China.
And with it will go a piece of Nebraska's 20th century industrial legacy and a big part of the village of DeWitt's livelihood and history.
If true, the closing is bound to be devastating for the Saline County village of 572, and for its region. DeWitt is about 16 miles northwest of Beatrice.
The Journal Star has based its report on information from an employee and a Nebraska civic leader. Both asked not be identified for fear of retaliation against plant employees.
Other plant workers told the Beatrice Daily Sun newspaper they have signed agreements not to disclose company information or risk being fired.
Employees told the Journal Star a meeting is set for Wednesday to announce news at the plant.
Village Board Chairman Randy Badman said the village has not been officially informed of anything. But he acknowledged the rumors and the common knowledge that employees expect an announcement this week.
The state of Nebraska's Workforce Development reaction team is expected to be at the plant next week to help people losing their jobs, the employee said.
But Terri Johnston, director of administrative services, for the state's Workforce Development agency, said she had no indication the state's team was alerted to the closing.
Under federal law, in most circumstances, companies are required to give the state and employees 60 days notice of a plant closing. The meeting Wednesday would be just short of 60 days to the end of October.
Company spokesman Ira Gleser refused to comment on what he called speculation and rumor about the plant. He would not confirm or deny plans for Wednesday's employee meeting.
Vise-Grip has a celebrated history in DeWitt and Nebraska.
Danish immigrant Bill Petersen developed his first pair of locking pliers in 1915, according to popular histories. He patented the device in 1924 and began production at his blacksmith shop in DeWitt.
By 1928, the company had more than 600 employees.
When Petersen died in 1962, his family took over. The business was eventually renamed American Tool Companies.
American Tool sold out in 2002 to Newell Rubbermaid, a minority owner since 1985. Since then, the DeWitt plant has operated under the name of Irwin Industrial Tools, a company American Tool bought in 1993.
Vise-Grip is one part of one brand, Irwin, that is among six tool brands produced by Newell Rubbermaid, more well known for its food containers.
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Ruth wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:50 AM: