Harris will shutter its facility in Huntingdon, England, by year's end and consolidate transmitter operations at its Broadcast Communications Division's headquarters in Quincy, IL, according to a company spokesperson. The decision, announced July 6 to employees in an internal memo, was taken to globalize and streamline worldwide operations. Up to 10 percent of Harris's 1700 workers worldwide could be let go.
As part of the drive to improve efficiency, the company also will outsource light assembly, warehousing and shipping at the division's Mason, OH, center. Additionally, it will eliminate operational and staffing duplications in the automation and digital asset management line that have resulted from the acquisition of Encoda in November 2004.
The plan calls for transmitters ordered after July 31 to be manufactured in Quincy. The company announced July 21 that Chuck Miklich, a manufacturing and engineering management executive, has joined the division as director of operations and site executive for the Quincy operation.
The closure of the Huntingdon facility will not affect local customer service in England or in Rankweil, Austria. Harris will continue to operate the Rankweil facility, which will work with the company's U.S. operation on the design of next-generation transmission products.
