AC-T: Linamar highlights local manufacturing surge

Here’s an excerpt from the Asheville Citizen-Times article:

When President Barack Obama walks into the Linamar plant Wednesday, he likely won’t have much sense of the manufacturing history — and occasional turmoil — that has unfolded in the building.

The facility has been home to a heavy construction equipment builder, and high-paying jobs, since 1977. But there was one notable gap: the painful two-year vacancy after Volvo Construction left in 2010, leaving more than 220 people out of work.

The departure came with one silver lining, though. The building was large, in good shape and attractive to manufacturers. …

In his State of the Union address tonight, Obama likely will dwell on the economy and the need to create jobs, in part by bolstering infrastructure projects and the manufacturing industry. He’ll follow that up with a stop Wednesday at the local Linamar plant, which makes engine blocks and wheel parts for heavy construction equipment, as well as an industrial lift device called a “skyjack.” …

After devastating losses the past two decades, domestic manufacturing has seen glimmers of hope in recent years.

The story is the same locally. After a huge departure in the 1990s and early 2000s, the mountains have been able to lure some top-notch manufacturers.

SHARE
About Jake Frankel
Jake Frankel is an award-winning journalist who enjoys covering a wide range of topics, from politics and government to business, education and entertainment.

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

0 thoughts on “AC-T: Linamar highlights local manufacturing surge

  1. Samantha

    They stopped traffic for what . Obama to tour a plant Linmar ….does he know what work is. Get out of the way , we have an appointment with the grocery store. Do MOVE

    • Dionysis

      Nah, they didn’t stop traffic for Obama. They did it to make you mad. It appears to have worked.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.