Bushmaster Plant Closing
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Shear_stress
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Not sure where your'e getting those numbers, but in terms of places to do business, CNBC ranks Maine at 31 (not great, but not last), ahead of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada and Alaska.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/37516043/
As for the media salivating at the prospect of a Republican-donating company making especially dangerous guns that is now laying people off--the Bloomberg "belt way sniper" article is the one I can find that even approaches that level of idiocy. On the other hand, the lion's share of baseless discourse and conspiracy theories can be found right here, with some folks practically falling all over themselves to celebrate the firing of what they thought were union employees--oh wait, they weren't.
The Bushmaster plant closing is simple economics: large private equity firm owns more than one maker of similar products, demand for such products falls, large private equity firm consolidates operations to save costs.
SSN Vet
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I'm refering to Forbes magazines annual survey....
Here's the summary, as it concerns Maine from the Bangor daily.
http://www.bangordailynews.com/story/Business/Maine-ranks-last-on-Forbes-list-of-Best-States-for-Business,156267
Here's the complete survey results from Forbes
http://www.bangordailynews.com/external/out/?url=http://www.forbes.com/2010/10/13/best-states-for-business-business-beltway-best-states.html
Shear_stress
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Fair enough. Still, the Bushmaster closing had more to do with the needs of the umbrella company to reduce redundancy in its product lines than anything. Bushmaster was in Maine since 1973 and I doubt many of those intervening years saw radical changes in the state's "business friendliness".
merlinfire
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I say this had very little to do with the political things other are pontificating about, and more to do with the acquisition. Almost always, when a company is bought out, there are layoffs. Economy of scale, reduce redundancy, helps the bottom line. As usual, its all about the money. Not every person who loses their job is politically responsible for their loss. Get real.
kd7nqb
Member
My father was recently laid off after 27yrs at the same company, so I really feel bad for these guys and gals that lost their jobs. My only hope is that since I assume most of them are machinists and shop types they will be able to find a job quickly even if its outside of the gun industry.
KBintheSLC
Member
With every boom, there comes a vacuum in the aftermath. I recon this will not be the last story of its kind as gun owners realize that there is no rationale to the hoarding of 2008-09. I am betting that 2011 will bring some great deals on guns and ammo as inventories run stagnant. It is unfortunate for the workers and the community to lose a plant. I'm sure they are skilled and will find there way in due time.
rscalzo
Member
I take those "Best of" or "Wose of" rankings with a grain of salt. Forbes can have those survays and in the course of a year the same city comes out on top or on the bottom. statisitcs can say whatever they want based on many varibles.
Last year my former town came in the "11th. Best in NJ". When I saw the data used, I had to laugh. Totally useless data sets based on god knows what. Does the fact that a number of movie theaters are in the town really matter? Most of the data was included because the town in within a few miles of New York City and even then it was based on only four variables . But it has nothing to do with the town itself. Nothing but a PR stunt.
CNBC just did the same survey with totally different results.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/37516043
Last year my former town came in the "11th. Best in NJ". When I saw the data used, I had to laugh. Totally useless data sets based on god knows what. Does the fact that a number of movie theaters are in the town really matter? Most of the data was included because the town in within a few miles of New York City and even then it was based on only four variables . But it has nothing to do with the town itself. Nothing but a PR stunt.
CNBC just did the same survey with totally different results.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/37516043
Al LaVodka
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There absolutely was a rationale for purchases and hording since November 2007. The only thing that has softened the universally perceived threat to the 2nd Amendment is the silent majority waking up, seeing what this Administration was capable of (and planning) doing, and being silent no more.
The fact that everyone and their brother is "making" an AR now has surprised me too. However, jobs will not just leave the state, if volume demands come back before we win the 2012 elections and resurrect the nation, the jobs will leave the country and NEVER come back. We have an Administration that has imposed the highest taxes in the world, more government bureaucracy, has dried up credit, is intentionally causing inflation, and has done away with the rule of law. Why would ANYONE employ skilled labor here anymore given the choice?
$13.50/hr.? He'll be begging for that when it is worth half what it is today if we don't put the country back on course.
Al
NCsmitty
Member
I certainly feel bad for the workers who were tossed out of work.
It's been evident to me for the past few months that there seems to be a glut of AR parts and accessories. I've seen uppers and lowers being offered with huge discounts lately.
At one time, a couple years ago, AR's were bringing overinflated prices and no one could keep them in stock. Often there was a waiting list of months for some models.
That seems to have come to a screeching halt. I expect the industry will downsize to match the reduction in sales. And that's what we're seeing now.
Our economy is suffering under the current political climate of incompetency.
NCsmitty
It's been evident to me for the past few months that there seems to be a glut of AR parts and accessories. I've seen uppers and lowers being offered with huge discounts lately.
At one time, a couple years ago, AR's were bringing overinflated prices and no one could keep them in stock. Often there was a waiting list of months for some models.
That seems to have come to a screeching halt. I expect the industry will downsize to match the reduction in sales. And that's what we're seeing now.
Our economy is suffering under the current political climate of incompetency.
NCsmitty
Tim the student
Member
It has been suffering for a number of years - it isn't new.
nwilliams
Member
In the back of my mind I was thinking the same thing but I doubt the ACR had much to do with it, I think the blame can be placed on the bad economy and the fact that people aren't spending as much as they once did. Although I suspect that the lack of interest in the ACR due to it's hefty price tag isn't helping Bushmaster.
My local shop has one. It's the same one they've had for the past six or eight months and it will probably still be there six to eight months from now.
SSN Vet
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Well this story got a little more personal...
I just found out last night that my friend whose son works at Bushmaster, just closed on a new house in Windham (he had been commuting some ways and wanted to be closer to the plant).
And now, come March, he's out of a job.
I just found out last night that my friend whose son works at Bushmaster, just closed on a new house in Windham (he had been commuting some ways and wanted to be closer to the plant).
And now, come March, he's out of a job.
FIVETWOSEVEN
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Is SIG Sauer owned by anything or is it its own entity?
Hani Pasha
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If Bushmaster got its "stuff" together and started bringing stuff for the ACR to market, I think there would be plenty of work to go around.
Then again, if the ACR was worth buying, a few other EBR makers would probably have to make cuts to stay competitive...
Many sympathies to the laid off workers.
Then again, if the ACR was worth buying, a few other EBR makers would probably have to make cuts to stay competitive...
Many sympathies to the laid off workers.
TexasBill
Member
That's Bloomberg as in Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City and rabid anti.
The rationale for closing the plant is pure Cerberus. They gutted Chrysler to the point the company couldn't even develop any new vehicles - no money, no manpower. I am just surprised they didn't move the production to Mexico.
killchain
Member
Pfft. Magpul sure didn't.
Hope those guys in Maine find gainful employment... especially in a better state, with better pay.
killchain
Member
Oh come on.
I'm in no way defending this administration, but everyone mobbed the gun stores on election day (ME INCLUDED!) and so far, the Obama Administration has done NOTHING AT ALL about gun issues.
The only thing the Feds have done for gun rights is strengthened them with DC v. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago.
mdauben
Member
I've been in that situation, too. It stinks.
My good wishes go out to the folks who got laid off. I hope they all find new jobs soon.
SSN Vet
Member
Don't confuse Maine with Mass.
Maine is a very good state for R2K&BA....
And the pendulum has picked up significant momentum away from the whacky weft.
I think Maine is a great state to live in.
twaits
member
I have high hopes for Gov. LePage. He's got his work cut out for him though with the hole the left has dug for us over the past 20 years or more.
TrickyDick
Member
I live in maine, and I was reading a portland based paper and it mentioned that it was closing but it focused on the fact that it produced the rifle used it the beltway sniper slayings. It made me sick, then chellie pingree, a liberal rep here had the audacity to sympathize even though she's anti gun. This state makes me sick. Portland is a wannabe san fransisco, a liberal haven. God forbid if you enjoy the 2nd amendment.
Jon Coppenbarger
Member
so since they are closing then why are they still listed for a big spot at the shot show next week. unless that has been cancelled but they still show on the list of vendors?
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