RPM Closing Engine Shop

[chilipepper]

Today's update from jayski:

UPDATE: The NASCAR workforce shrunk by 47 people on Monday as Richard Petty Motorsports took the first steps toward shutting down its engine department in Concord, NC. RPM is making reductions in its staff with the impending merger with Yates Racing. Additional cuts are expected in the car shop in Statesville, N.C. on Tuesday. Sources said on Sunday that the three remaining teams expected to join forces with Yates will retain 17 crewmen per team. But given the move to Ford  which started at Talladega with #19-Elliott Sadler on Oct. 30th and continued this past weekend with #44-AJ Allmendinger at Texas, there's no need to continue building new Dodge cars or engines. The engine department will continue to employ 14 employees through the end of the season to assist in the organization for the final two races. Roush Yates Engines will supply powerplants for the team in 2010.(FoxSports)(11-10-2009)

[songsmith1950]

Though I feel sorry for the employees, it is true that a business must do what it has to do to survive. For a long long time Richard kept everyone together as much and as long as he could. The world changed and with it the ability to do this no matter what.
Richard took Boston Vultures on to try to keep people employed. He gave it his best shot. When it all came down this became the only road he had.
I do believe that no matter how bad we feel he feels worse.
It is in the rain my friends. The rain is falling and we can only hope to stay dry and warm.

[stuck]

Bob Pockrass' tweet this morning says approx 150 of RPM's 250 employees will be released in the merger. Will affect the fab shop in addition to the engine shop. Sad.