Days after announcing that it will be closing its Springhill site in May 2010, Trane Commercial Systems officials are already making preparations to assist employees who will be affected by the closure.
In an attempt to help those employees adjust to the transition, Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) representatives and Trane officials will meet Friday.
Reportedly, the purpose of the meeting is discuss options and services available to employees who will be affected when the North-Webster business closes its doors next year.
On December 9, although still in the process of acquiring a facility, Trane announced it will be closing its Springhill site and relocating to Monterrey, Mexico.
The closure of the Springhill location, which manufactures condensing units, air handlers and heaters, is expected to claim the jobs of roughly 190 salary and hourly employees.
“Our first priority was to inform employees,” said Art Scheskie, Trane’s Communications Director during Press-Herald interview December 9. Scheskie said the company will have severance pay and benefits packets outlined for unemployed individuals.
“Human resources will also assist to meet specific needs and to answer questions,” he said.
Scheskie said the decision to move the production line is based on number of things. All of these reasons primarily relate to the state of the economy.
“The decision to close was made to improve overall plant utilization and reduce costs,” Scheskie said.
Scheskie added that the transition is also an attempt to manage in today’s economy.
“As far as a time frame goes as far as transition, things are still being finalized,” Scheskie said last week. However, the manufacturing company is expecting to have all details squared no later than May.
Trane, a subsidiary of Ingersoll-Rand Co., has operated out of the North Webster Industrial Park for the past 20 years.
LWC services are offered at no cost to the employer or participating employees.
According to a LWC December 10 press release, employees of Trane will be assisted by the commission’s on-site workforce transition center with the following services:
Layoff coordination meetings
On-site worker orientations, including job placement assistance, unemployment insurance and training
On-site job search workshops, including resume writing, interviewing skills, budget management and job search techniques for older workers or those with limited experience
Job and education fairs
Partner agency workshops
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