ALBANY - An area manufacturer announced Tuesday it is closing two facilities in Orfordville and Albany.
Chromalox, a manufacturer of industrial heating products, said company restructuring will force it to close its Ogden Manufacturing facilities, according to a company news release.
The facility in Albany is the village's largest employer.
Production will move to existing manufacturing locations starting in July. The restructuring decision affects about 80 employees in Albany and 30 in Orfordville.
Employees were informed of the closings Tuesday and have been given the opportunity to relocate, the release said.
Barbara Lee, of Chromalox's human resources department, said corporate staff are on site today in Albany.
A company spokesperson has not retured a phone call.
Albany Village President Larry Hanson said the village knew nothing about the closing. Hanson found out Tuesday because his wife has worked for the company for 28 years.
"They kept this a big secret right up until the end," Hanson said. "They called my wife at home yesterday while she was on vacation and said they were closing."
Hanson said the closing will have a definite effect on the village of about 1,200. He said many of the employees are couples.
The Orfordville move will start in July with targeted completion in September. The Albany change will begin in August with targeted completion in December.
"Our Wisconsin plants have been consistent contributors to our success, so the decision to close these facilities is extremely difficult," Jorge Hidalgo, chief operating officer, said in a statement. "However, consolidation of our operations is necessary to maintain our competitive advantage as materials costs rise and market pressures increase."
Chromalox manufactures electric heat and control products, including heating components, immersion heaters, circulation systems, heat transfer systems, boilers, industrial and comfort air heating, heat trace cables, sensors and precision electronic controls.
The company has manufacturing, engineering, warehousing and sales locations throughout North America and Europe. It is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa.Jeff Rogers 4/30/08
- Janesville Gazette reporter Gina Duwe contributed to this story
Chromalox, a manufacturer of industrial heating products, said company restructuring will force it to close its Ogden Manufacturing facilities, according to a company news release.
The facility in Albany is the village's largest employer.
Production will move to existing manufacturing locations starting in July. The restructuring decision affects about 80 employees in Albany and 30 in Orfordville.
Employees were informed of the closings Tuesday and have been given the opportunity to relocate, the release said.
Barbara Lee, of Chromalox's human resources department, said corporate staff are on site today in Albany.
A company spokesperson has not retured a phone call.
Albany Village President Larry Hanson said the village knew nothing about the closing. Hanson found out Tuesday because his wife has worked for the company for 28 years.
"They kept this a big secret right up until the end," Hanson said. "They called my wife at home yesterday while she was on vacation and said they were closing."
Hanson said the closing will have a definite effect on the village of about 1,200. He said many of the employees are couples.
The Orfordville move will start in July with targeted completion in September. The Albany change will begin in August with targeted completion in December.
"Our Wisconsin plants have been consistent contributors to our success, so the decision to close these facilities is extremely difficult," Jorge Hidalgo, chief operating officer, said in a statement. "However, consolidation of our operations is necessary to maintain our competitive advantage as materials costs rise and market pressures increase."
Chromalox manufactures electric heat and control products, including heating components, immersion heaters, circulation systems, heat transfer systems, boilers, industrial and comfort air heating, heat trace cables, sensors and precision electronic controls.
The company has manufacturing, engineering, warehousing and sales locations throughout North America and Europe. It is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa.Jeff Rogers 4/30/08
- Janesville Gazette reporter Gina Duwe contributed to this story