The city of Eastlake’s economy could take a painful hit later this year if a manufacturer follows through with a plan to end operations.
Conn Selmer, the largest manufacturer of band and orchestra instruments in the United States, recently announced a tentative decision to close its Eastlake manufacturing plant this summer, The News-Herald’s Marah Morrison reported.
According to a Jan. 7 company news release, this proposed action is subject to negotiation with the union representing Conn Selmer’s hourly employees at its Eastlake plant. If this tentative decision is finalized, the company plans to transfer professional French horn production to its Elkhart, Indiana, brass factory and transition tuba, sousaphone and student/intermediate French horn production offshore.
“This tentative decision, if finalized, will streamline Conn Selmer’s U.S. operations by concentrating production in one professional brass factory and one percussion factory,” reads the news release.
“We have proudly built instruments in Elkhart since 1875,” the news release continues. “The recent tentative decision regarding our Eastlake facility will improve competitiveness and better meet today’s market demands while streamlining our U.S. operations by concentrating professional brass manufacturing in Elkhart and percussion manufacturing in Monroe, North Carolina. We remain deeply committed to U.S. manufacturing as we have been for more than 150 years.”
A global leader in instrument manufacturing and distribution, the company’s brands include Armstrong, Bach, Conn, King, Holton, Leblanc, Ludwig, Musser and Selmer.
Eastlake Mayor and Safety Director Kevin Kostelnik said the city does not want to see Conn Selmer leave, as it is a major employer and has deep roots in Eastlake.
“I personally went to their facility the day after the story broke and met face-to-face with company leadership, and I have also spoken directly with the local UAW president and our state delegation,” Kostelnik said.
The company and the union are currently in negotiations, and Kostelnik said he will continue advocating for solutions that make staying in Eastlake viable.
“Our priority remains protecting local jobs and maintaining a strong manufacturing base in our city,” he said.
State Rep. Daniel Troy, D-Willowick, said this decision would eliminate 150 good-paying jobs in the area and significantly impact the hard-working employees who have contributed so much to build and maintain Conn Selmer’s strong reputation and success.
“The closure raises serious concerns about the welfare of these workers, their families and the broader Lake County community,” Troy said. “I would hope there is some alternative path forward that can support both the company’s future interests and the Eastlake facility’s dedicated workforce.”
It’s sad to hear that Conn Selmer’s Eastlake plant doesn’t fit into the company’s future strategy to be competitive and profitable.
If Conn Selmer does shutter the Eastlake plant and slash 150 jobs, it would adversely affect the livelihoods of employees. The city of Eastlake also would lose income tax revenue it has traditionally received from Conn Selmer employees.
We were encouraged to learn that Kostelnik got involved quickly by talking with Conn Selmer executives and union leaders about the situation.
Hopefully he will continue to closely monitor the progress of negotiations between the company and union. That way, the city will be prepared for the outcome.