Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Crane cams shuts down

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Crane cams shuts down

    February 24, 2009

    Crane Cams shuts down, workers laid off

    DAYTONA BEACH — Crane Cams, a 56-year-old auto parts manufacturer, closed its doors this week and laid off its employees, a worker said today.

    The news took Volusia County’s top economic development officer by surprise. City, county and state officials were working with Crane Cams and officials from its New Jersey parent, Mikronite Technologies, to keep the company open and in the community.

    “We were trying to help them through this transition,” said Rick Michael, Volusia County economic development director. “They were considering a transfer of ownership. We were not expecting any closure.”

    An automated voice mail system at Crane’s plant on Fentress Boulevard announced at midday today the company was closed and suggested calling back during business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A call to Mikronite’s New Jersey offices produced similar results. Six cars sat in the parking lot early this afternoon at the local plant, which employed 220 just three years ago.

    Inside the lobby, a reception desk sat empty. A call from the lobby phone got an answer from Dennis Burgess, who declined to comment and said no one at the plant could provide information.

    In the parking lot, 14-year employee Ronald Dorn was leaving the plant for what he believed was the last time

    He said workers were told during the past week that layoffs were likely, but he didn’t expect the plant to close.

    Mikronite received approval in 2006 to receive tax rebates from the state and the county amid discussion about moving its New Jersey operations here. But the company ended its contract with the state in 2008 due to nonperformance, Michael said.

    “Crane has gone through a series of small layoffs recently,” he said.

    Crane Cams and Crane Technologies Group were founded by Harvey J. Crane Jr. in 1953 as Crane Engineering Inc. in Hallandale. The company is well known in high-performance and racing circles for its line of camshafts and engine valve train components.

    In 1979, Crane Cams became an employee-owned company. Some operations moved to Daytona Beach in 1981, with the remainder of the operation and employees relocating here in 1985.

    Very sad.

  • #2
    Good news Crane will be back soon.


    A picture of Crane Cams says it could reopen in 30 days.
    Crane Cams says it could reopen in 30 days.Well-known cam shafts company Crane Cams shut down Feb. 24 for restructuring but says it plans to reopen, likely sometime in March.

    All of the company’s 280 workers were laid off, though about 25 remain to work on military contracts. The closure was in response to the global economic problems, said vice president Steve Leva. He said the Daytona Beach, Fla., company planned to reopen in as soon as a week, or it may take up to 30 days.

    Crane’s parts have become synonymous with performance and have been used by A. J. Foyt, the Wood Brothers, Bill Elliott, Richard Petty and many other well-known drivers.

    The 56-year-old company first made a splash at the 1961 NHRA nationals, when a dragster using Crane roller cams was piloted by “Sneaky” Pete Robinson to the Top Eliminator award, breaking records and upsetting more-established competitors in the process.

    Robinson’s success helped the company gain recognition throughout the 1960s as racing grew and the Detroit automakers thrived.

    In late 2006, Crane was acquired by Mikronite Technologies Group Inc., and Leva said $18 million has been invested in equipment since the acquisition.

    Earlier this week, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that Crane was closing, though more details were not available at that time.

    Autoweek

    Comment


    • #3
      Other than the factory cam, my Chevelle has had two Crane cams. Still has the one I bought in '78. Lol

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by Z28SSMAN View Post
        Other than the factory cam, my Chevelle has had two Crane cams. Still has the one I bought in '78. Lol
        I think father time has had it's way with that cam let's put a 602 grind in that BB. Remember how the bird went with 8.5 comp. ratio and that tiny cam. Easy 11's Oh wait I forgot you like to eat popcorn when you race. :rlol:

        Comment


        • #5
          Lol. I won a lot of bracket races eating popcorn in that car.

          Comment

          Working...
          X