After announcing a reduction in workforce in their Ilion production line in February, Remington Arms triggered fears that the weapons maker may shut down the plant altogether.
Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin posted this to his Facebook page:
Remington is making what I sadly believe will be the first of many moves to greatly downsize their operations in Ilion, if not close there altogether.
McLaughlin’s fears have been realized. Remington Arms, founded in 1816 in upstate New York, has announced they will build their new factory in Huntsville, Alabama, consolidating several facilities, including the Bushmaster and Remington lines.
Via Guns & Ammo:
Remington Outdoor Company has officially announced to Guns & Ammo that several facilities are being consolidated to Remington’s new facility in Huntsville, Alabama. They include:
TAPCO of Kennesaw, Georgia
LAR Manufacturing of West Jordan, Utah
PARA US of Pineville, North Carolina
DPMS of St. Cloud, Minnesota
AAC of Lawrenceville, Georgia
Bushmaster (AR-15) production from Illion, New York
Remington R1 (1911) production from Illion, New York
Montana Rifleman in Kalispell, Montana“Earlier today we announced the consolidation of multiple company plants into our Huntsville, Alabama, facility,” said Remington Spokesman Teddy Novin.
A Yellowhammer report from February explained that Remington began its review of new locations after passage of the SAFE Act which banned magazines containing more than seven rounds, and reclassified the Bushmaster – a Remington product – as an “assault weapon.”
The new plant is expected to bring over 2,000 jobs to Alabama, perhaps with a good portion of them being directly from the Ilion plant itself.
Via American Survival Guide (h/t Gateway Pundit):
A Remington source tells The Outdoor Wire Digital Network the company will be offering relocation opportunities but an attractions of modern state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities like the one in Huntsville, Alabama is their innate ability to eliminate head count without negatively impacting production outputs.
The Firearm Blog also reports:
Remington is asking employees to move to Huntsville, Alabama.
Remington is wanting to retain and move as many staff as possible to the city of Huntsville, Alabama. Staff have been given instructions on how they can apply to move.
Just a few monthS after stating that “extreme” conservatives who are “pro-assault-weapon” are not welcome in New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is watching a company, thousands of employees, and millions of dollars, heed that advice.
All thanks to his extreme view on gun control.
In April of 2012, Chuck Schumer (D), a big proponent of New York’s gun laws, was singing the praises of Remington Arms and their economic and employment impact in the state.
“Today is a great one for Remington Arms in Ilion, its workers and the Mohawk Valley economy as a whole. The Ilion plant has secured an expanded role in producing high-quality equipment for our brave men and women overseas, and this contract will provide a huge boost to Central New York’s economy.”
Schumer was referring to an $84 million contract between Remington and the Army.
Cuomo was indeed correct when he said pro-gun supporters were not welcome in New York. He and his SAFE Act-passing colleagues just showed Remington Arms the door.
Cross-posted at the Mental Recession
