By Ron Lieback
AllAboutBikes.com Content Editor
Last week, Harley-Davidson announced that the 2,000-plus jobs at the York facility in Pennsylvania will either stay or move to Kentucky, which was one of four locations originally considered in May.
The Motor Company said it will decide the fate of the York facility by the end of this year. In May, Harley said the York plant is facing shutdown due to sales being down more than 30 percent, and second-quarter profits plunging 91 percent. Harley is looking to modernize the York factory, or move it to another state where it can operate more efficiently.
Harley-Davidson spokesman Bob Klein didn’t release exact details about the Kentucky choice, but said it derived from multiply factors, including site selection and available workers. But he also said the preferred choice is to remain in York.
In October, York-facility management and union members submitted a restructuring plan to Harley to keep operation at the York facility going, and Harley told employees the plan is viable but requires the support of workers. Union members that work for the Harley-Davidson York Facility in Pennsylvania are scheduled to vote on a new contract Dec. 2.
Established as an assembly facility in 1973, Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operations in York, Pa., is the largest Harley-Davidson manufacturing facility. The York facility covers more than 230 acres and has over 1.5 million square feet under roof.
