Russell Corp. has notified Wisconsin state officials of its intention
to close the former Huffy Sports Co. plant in Sussex, eliminating the
last 50 jobs there by the end of March next year.
Russell filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act (WARN) notice with
the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development last week warning of
the closure and layoffs of the plant's remaining office and warehouse
workers, according to the Milwaukee Business Journal. According to the
state filing, Russell will begin laying off employees
on Dec. 31 and continue until March 30. At least two may remain
employed until June 30, 2008, while one was offered a job at Russell's
Spalding division in Springfield, Mass. Fifteen workers are represented
by District 10 of the International Association of Machinists and
Aerospace Workers Union.
The plant employed 150 when Russell acquired the Huffy equipment
business from Huffy Corp in mid-2004. Russell ended production of
basketballs and backboards at the plant in spring 2006, transferring
the work to a supplier in China, according to the paper.
Russell Corp. was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. last year, and was merged with Fruit of the Loom.
