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Crane Cams - doors have been closed !

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Old 02-24-2009 | 05:07 PM
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Exclamation Crane Cams - doors have been closed !

I had to call and confirm this and report it to the company that I work for (Federal Mogul Corp.) this morning..... very sad


February 24, 2009

Crane Cams shuts down, workers laid off

By JIM WITTERS
Senior Business Writer

DAYTONA BEACH — Crane Cams, a 56-year-old auto parts manufacturer, closed its doors this week and laid off its employees, a worker said today.

The news took Volusia County’s top economic development officer by surprise. City, county and state officials were working with Crane Cams and officials from its New Jersey parent, Mikronite Technologies, to keep the company open and in the community.

“We were trying to help them through this transition,” said Rick Michael, Volusia County economic development director. “They were considering a transfer of ownership. We were not expecting any closure.”

An automated voice mail system at Crane’s plant on Fentress Boulevard announced at midday today the company was closed and suggested calling back during business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A call to Mikronite’s New Jersey offices produced similar results. Six cars sat in the parking lot early this afternoon at the local plant, which employed 220 just three years ago.

Inside the lobby, a reception desk sat empty. A call from the lobby phone got an answer from Dennis Burgess, who declined to comment and said no one at the plant could provide information.

In the parking lot, 14-year employee Ronald Dorn was leaving the plant for what he believed was the last time

He said workers were told during the past week that layoffs were likely, but he didn’t expect the plant to close.

Mikronite received approval in 2006 to receive tax rebates from the state and the county amid discussion about moving its New Jersey operations here. But the company ended its contract with the state in 2008 due to nonperformance, Michael said.

“Crane has gone through a series of small layoffs recently,” he said.

Crane Cams and Crane Technologies Group were founded by Harvey J. Crane Jr. in 1953 as Crane Engineering Inc. in Hallandale. The company is well known in high-performance and racing circles for its line of camshafts and engine valve train components.

In 1979, Crane Cams became an employee-owned company. Some operations moved to Daytona Beach in 1981, with the remainder of the operation and employees relocating here in 1985.

Mikronite, an industrial technology firm, bought Crane in 2006.

In March 2007, Mikronite sold its property on Fentress to STAG Capital Partners of Boston, then signed a 10-year lease.
Old 02-24-2009 | 05:33 PM
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wow
Old 02-24-2009 | 06:10 PM
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That sucks.
Old 02-24-2009 | 09:03 PM
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I'm more of a Comp fan. Still sucks Americans are loosing their jobs though.
Old 02-24-2009 | 09:13 PM
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As if this is'nt bad enough, there are more coming.........
Old 02-24-2009 | 09:19 PM
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That's a shame. I grew up with Crane and they always seemed to have a quality product. Hopefully the name will be revived under new leadership.
Old 02-24-2009 | 09:26 PM
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damn that is sad....

that hurts all of the cam manufacturers, since Crane supplied them the cam billets.
(thats what i was told long ago from comp cams)
Old 02-24-2009 | 09:40 PM
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Crane has just seemed behind in the years with everything
Old 02-25-2009 | 08:29 AM
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That's sad. Never had a Crane cam, considered a Crane Hydr. roller a couple years back, it was a "semi aggressive" Crane Cam but available through GMPP.

Didn't Crane do a lot of R&D work for GM??.
.
Old 02-25-2009 | 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Scotty_82
Didn't Crane do a lot of R&D work for GM??.
.

Yes, and from what I recall, they did provide billet cams for many other companies including competition cams. Crane was an american patriot-like company. Will always be remembered. I have so many parts from Crane and their quality seems incredible. I hope someone buys the name and starts it up again.
Old 02-25-2009 | 09:53 AM
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very sad, i fear we will hear more.
Old 02-25-2009 | 01:44 PM
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that sucks
Old 02-25-2009 | 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Squeezer
As if this is'nt bad enough, there are more coming.........
That's puttin it mildly...it's going to be a roller coaster the next few months.
Old 03-02-2009 | 10:23 PM
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That sucks ***....


On the bright side maybe I can pick up there degree wheel kit dirt cheap now
Old 03-02-2009 | 11:31 PM
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http://cranecams.com/?show=mikroniteAcq

It says here that they've been acquired by Mikronite Technologies.
Old 03-03-2009 | 04:26 PM
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Originally Posted by PowerShift408
http://cranecams.com/?show=mikroniteAcq

It says here that they've been acquired by Mikronite Technologies.
that was awhile ago.. theyre done
Old 03-11-2009 | 01:05 PM
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Crane Cams reopening

http://www.fquick.com/blog/Crane_Cam...e-opening/2787



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