Sea Ray Knoxville "Forks of the River" plant to close
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ZZ13
Well-Known Member
Re: Forks of the River plant to close
Yikes! So I guess the "Sea Ray Homecoming" was really a big going away party. Glad I went and got to tour while I had the chance. I feel bad for all those employees. Those that I met were top notch people.
Yikes! So I guess the "Sea Ray Homecoming" was really a big going away party. Glad I went and got to tour while I had the chance. I feel bad for all those employees. Those that I met were top notch people.
Passtime207
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Re: Forks of the River plant to close
I'm speechless. (Which my family will want to mark this date in history.)
I'm speechless. (Which my family will want to mark this date in history.)
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David Paul
New Member
Re: Forks of the River plant to close
Unless I read it wrong in the first article, it appears all Bayliners (including Cruisers) will be made in Brazil and that may be what is driving the decision.
Unless I read it wrong in the first article, it appears all Bayliners (including Cruisers) will be made in Brazil and that may be what is driving the decision.
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Re: Forks of the River plant to close
Wow, I feel so bad for all the great people I met at the homecoming. The plant was awesome and the setting was spectacular. I hope the people displaced will have luck finding other means...
Really disappointed in Brunswick...
To focus more on bay liner then Sea ray is stupid. I used to be a boat is a boat until I saw the difference first hand... Sea Ray is far superior! Period...
Wow, I feel so bad for all the great people I met at the homecoming. The plant was awesome and the setting was spectacular. I hope the people displaced will have luck finding other means...
Really disappointed in Brunswick...
To focus more on bay liner then Sea ray is stupid. I used to be a boat is a boat until I saw the difference first hand... Sea Ray is far superior! Period...
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ZZ13
Well-Known Member
Re: Forks of the River plant to close
Jason, I suspect you heard the same production drop-off numbers on your tour as I did. Based on that alone, this now doesn't surprise me at all.
Re: Forks of the River plant to close
Actually, I didn't hear anything on my tour my guide was as quiet as a mouse...
Actually, I didn't hear anything on my tour my guide was as quiet as a mouse...
BOATER JOHN
Member
Re: Forks of the River plant to close
Wow,that is a surprise.I agree with Jason, the people that we delt with were great and very upbeat about their jobs.
Wow,that is a surprise.I agree with Jason, the people that we delt with were great and very upbeat about their jobs.
Lucky's
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Very disappointing in deed. Safe to assume that was the first and last "homecoming" event.
Shaun
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Shaun
Sent from my iPhone
Phlorida
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Re: Forks of the River plant to close
That is terrible news. That is a great facility with some very dedicated employees.
That is terrible news. That is a great facility with some very dedicated employees.
Re: Forks of the River plant to close
Another sad sign of times! Hopefully the displaced workers will be able to move to Vonore plant.
Another sad sign of times! Hopefully the displaced workers will be able to move to Vonore plant.
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Buckeye Boater
Active Member
Re: Forks of the River plant to close
Here's another story from "Soundings"
http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/home/...lding-and-selling-bayliner-cruisers-in-the-us
Bayliner cruisers will no longer be sold in the US. Brunswick will maintain its leadership position in the cruiser market with the Sea Ray brand.
Good luck to all of those that will be out of work. We appreciate everything you have done for the Sea Ray brand.
Here's another story from "Soundings"
http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/home/...lding-and-selling-bayliner-cruisers-in-the-us
Bayliner cruisers will no longer be sold in the US. Brunswick will maintain its leadership position in the cruiser market with the Sea Ray brand.
Good luck to all of those that will be out of work. We appreciate everything you have done for the Sea Ray brand.
my3sons
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Re: Forks of the River plant to close
Too bad. Way too much of this going on now. Let's hope that BC makes all the right moves to position themselves to weather the storm that they, and many other companies, see ahead. Some very talented and skilled craftsmen will be available to other businesses, may it work out as best as possible for all.
Too bad. Way too much of this going on now. Let's hope that BC makes all the right moves to position themselves to weather the storm that they, and many other companies, see ahead. Some very talented and skilled craftsmen will be available to other businesses, may it work out as best as possible for all.
tdschafer
Well-Known Member
Re: Forks of the River plant to close
That's probably because he was preparing for an interview!! This is sad news, and way too much of it lately, quite frankly. I hope we get a Regime Change this November and reverse this downward spiral. Good luck to those new additions to the unemployment line.
That's probably because he was preparing for an interview!! This is sad news, and way too much of it lately, quite frankly. I hope we get a Regime Change this November and reverse this downward spiral. Good luck to those new additions to the unemployment line.
Re: Forks of the River plant to close
This is terriable news. I was on the same tour as ZZ13 and our guide was great and answered any questions the best he could. I guess this is a sign there continues to be a limited market for higher end fiberglass boats and cruisers. I really feel bad for all the workers as they were all so upbeat and kind to us at the event. Another sad day in Sea Ray history no doubt.
This is terriable news. I was on the same tour as ZZ13 and our guide was great and answered any questions the best he could. I guess this is a sign there continues to be a limited market for higher end fiberglass boats and cruisers. I really feel bad for all the workers as they were all so upbeat and kind to us at the event. Another sad day in Sea Ray history no doubt.
KC_Sundancer
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Re: Forks of the River plant to close
I'm getting tired of news like this. It really is too bad for all the employees, I can only imagine how bad that moment is finding out, especially if you have a family to take care of. I unfortunately witnessed something similar a year ago at Piper Aircraft. They decided to cancel the jet program we were working on with them. It did not affect me but was not at all a good thing to see with their employees. When times are tough I understand the "toy" manufacturers are the first to see the impact but this has been going on too long now. I wish them all the best in finding new work.
I'm getting tired of news like this. It really is too bad for all the employees, I can only imagine how bad that moment is finding out, especially if you have a family to take care of. I unfortunately witnessed something similar a year ago at Piper Aircraft. They decided to cancel the jet program we were working on with them. It did not affect me but was not at all a good thing to see with their employees. When times are tough I understand the "toy" manufacturers are the first to see the impact but this has been going on too long now. I wish them all the best in finding new work.
moparlvr4406
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Re: Forks of the River plant to close
Vtry disappointing
shakes my faith in the brand more than a little bit
After meeting all of those great people I feel like they are firing family
Vtry disappointing
shakes my faith in the brand more than a little bit
After meeting all of those great people I feel like they are firing family
magstang1
Active Member
Re: Forks of the River plant to close
I wasn't at the homecoming, and I didn't meet any of those people, but I certainly appreciate the feelings they are having right now.
Its especially difficult when you want to be a dedicated employee, and you truly enjoy the job you do. Some, if not most days don't feel like work at all.
When you are forcibly removed from a position like that, it really cuts deep.
Unfortunately I have been in a similar situation and I'm not proud to say that it has really changed my perspective of work. It makes it much more difficult to really focus on work. The focus becomes protecting family.
Im most afraid that through all this downsizing and moving off shore that this country is cutting off it's roots just beneath the soil.
You may see signs of what is to come rather quickly, but the true damage is still lurking beneath the surface.
Seeing family owned stores and trades that have been passed down through the generations devalued, dismissed and ultimately shut down are things that can not simply be replaced.
Honest, well paying blue collar jobs are becoming a thing of the past. As well as the single income household.
The hustle bustle and trying to make ends meet has replaced family time, and is slowly destroying any true sense of community that remains.
I question every day what is honest to goodness truly right for my children.
Sometimes I think it would almost be better to start over with a simple life. No credit cards, cable tv, cell phones... Just family, community, honesty and accountability.
Hopefully these people still have a supportive family to help them through the tough times.
Thank god I did.
May they all find peace in their situation.
I wasn't at the homecoming, and I didn't meet any of those people, but I certainly appreciate the feelings they are having right now.
Its especially difficult when you want to be a dedicated employee, and you truly enjoy the job you do. Some, if not most days don't feel like work at all.
When you are forcibly removed from a position like that, it really cuts deep.
Unfortunately I have been in a similar situation and I'm not proud to say that it has really changed my perspective of work. It makes it much more difficult to really focus on work. The focus becomes protecting family.
Im most afraid that through all this downsizing and moving off shore that this country is cutting off it's roots just beneath the soil.
You may see signs of what is to come rather quickly, but the true damage is still lurking beneath the surface.
Seeing family owned stores and trades that have been passed down through the generations devalued, dismissed and ultimately shut down are things that can not simply be replaced.
Honest, well paying blue collar jobs are becoming a thing of the past. As well as the single income household.
The hustle bustle and trying to make ends meet has replaced family time, and is slowly destroying any true sense of community that remains.
I question every day what is honest to goodness truly right for my children.
Sometimes I think it would almost be better to start over with a simple life. No credit cards, cable tv, cell phones... Just family, community, honesty and accountability.
Hopefully these people still have a supportive family to help them through the tough times.
Thank god I did.
May they all find peace in their situation.
matthewmiller01
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Re: Forks of the River plant to close
So they are going to do this by closing the plant that builds the small and mid-sized cruisers?
Best wishes to all involved... sad day. I'm glad I toured the place when I did at the homecoming.
So they are going to do this by closing the plant that builds the small and mid-sized cruisers?
Best wishes to all involved... sad day. I'm glad I toured the place when I did at the homecoming.
MonacoMike
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Re: Forks of the River plant to close
First off, I too am speechless and that is also not normal. So sorry for all the folks losing their jobs.
MM
First off, I too am speechless and that is also not normal. So sorry for all the folks losing their jobs.
MM
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