AMSC to close Middleton plant by year end (Wisconsin State Journal)

[hue]

http://wisconsinstatejournal.wi.newsmemory.com/pda.php?date=20140320&eid=0&sid=2&aid=154

American Superconductor (AMSC) will close its Middleton plant by Dec. 31 and transfer those operations to its headquarters in Devens, Mass.

The company declined to disclose the number of Middleton employees affected but said they will be offered positions in Devens. The plant, at 8401 Murphy Drive, makes a voltage regulation and control device for use on the electric transmission grid.

The announcement is “very unfortunate,” said Mike Davis, Middleton city administrator. “They’ve been a sound employer in Middleton as long as I can remember.”

The closing is part of a series of “strategic operational initiatives” AMSC announced on Wednesday. They include reducing wind power manufacturing in China to Chinese customers and opening a new production center in Romania for other wind customers worldwide.

AMSC said it will cut its total staff between 5 percent and 10 percent, or up to 120 employees, spokeswoman Kerry Farrell said, among its Middleton, Massachusetts and Chinese sites.

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More jobs leaving WI!!

[hue]

1. This plant closure received very little press of course.

[bbgrunt]

2. must be part of Walker's jobs plan

[Scuba]

3. Walker driving jobs out of Wisconsin again.