PORTLAND, Ore. — Railcar manufacturer The Greenbrier Cos. will close its Gunderson plant this spring, laying off 101 workers as it shifts production to other factories, the Oregonian newspaper reports.
Layoffs will begin in March; some production at the plant will continue until May, at which time the company expects to complete the plant closure and layoffs. The company attributed the layoffs to “a slowdown in business” in a notice to Portland officials, the newspaper said.
Gunderson will continue making barges at the same site, retaining many of the current 450 workers while it conducts a “strategic review” of that business. Greenbrier had previously said it would consider selling the barge operation and the plant, but the location has been labeled as a superfund site because of contamination, which would limit its uses for any new owner.
Is this the end of Gunderson built freight cars or does Greenbrier maintain another Gunderson plant?
They have 3 more plants. Two in Arkansas after acquiring ARI and one in Mexico like every other freight car builder.
“but the location has been labeled as a superfund site because of contamination” which means the site is toast for commercial real estate use, especially in green Oregon.