Officials with Ariens Co. recently announced the company will close its manufacturing operation in Opp, Ala. in an effort to consolidate manufacturing operations for improved efficiency. Production will run through July 26, 2013. The facility currently employs 17 people.

“This decision is not a reflection on the performance of the plant,” says Bob Bradford, Senior VP of Operations. “I’d like to thank the employees for the remarkable improvements they made on their LEAN journey of continuous improvement which began the day we acquired the plant seven years ago. They would be an asset to any of our other manufacturing facilities and we have offered them the option to transfer.”

Employees were also provided with severance packages and outplacement assistance during a meeting held at the plant. Production will be moved to Ariens manufacturing plants in Brillion, Wis. or Auburn, Neb. Customers should not see an impact on product delivery, according to Bradford. Ariens has operated the facility since 2006 when it acquired Locke Turf company, a manufacturer of reel mowers and specialty turf equipment.

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