Associated Press
A Look at Maytag's Galesburg Plant
Tuesday September 14, 1:15 am ET
By The Associated Press
Maytag Corp. is closing its western Illinois refrigerator plant in response to plant and labor costs that were higher than competitors, who have shifted assembly to Mexico and other places.
-- Opened: 1986, when Newton, Iowa-based Maytag bought the plant from Magic Chef. Refrigerators have been produced at the factory for more than 50 years.
-- Payroll: More than $80 million annually, according to the Galesburg Regional Economic Development Association.
-- Peak employment: 1,600 in 2002.
-- Job Cuts: About 600 workers have been laid off since the closing was announced in late 2002, according to union officials. About 900 will lose their jobs when production ends this week. About 100 will remain through year's end to shut down the plant.
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