CNH Racine Plant to Re-Open
CNH Global -CNH will resume production at the CNH Racine Tractor Plant, Training Center and North America Parts Operations facility on Monday, Nov. 1. Operations halted Tuesday morning, Oct. 26, after a tornado struck the facility, causing significant damage. Employees were sent home on Tuesday and were notified to not report to work for the rest of the week while damage was assessed. A damage estimate is not yet available.
All 641 employees are scheduled to return to work on Monday, assuming no further weather-related delays. "Our goal all along has been to restore full production as quickly as possible," said Case IH spokesperson Duane Nelson. "We are working around the clock to restore the plant to a safe environment so our employees can get back to work."
Nelson also said that United Auto Workers representatives toured the facility on Thursday and were enthusiastic about the speed and quality of the repair effort.
The plant produces Case IHs latest models of Magnum tractors. Damage at the facility included:
- Roof damage affecting three areas: the combine transmission area, cafeteria and parts operations
- Garage doors and access doors
- Significant water damage to internal ceilings from the sprinkler system
- Substantial vehicle damage to parked cars caused by blowing debris
CNH anticipates a limited interruption sometime next week in downstream manufacturing at its Grand Island, Nebraska. and Fargo, North Dakota. facilities. "Thanks to the speed of the repair effort in Racine, any shutdown in Grand Island or Fargo will be brief," said Nelson.