Expansion Management

Can One Plant Manager Sustain a Community?

April 27, 2010

He can. And his name is Chuck Sibley. He is the manager at two Navistar Diesel engine plants in Huntsville, Alabama.

With a total of 331 workers, the company makes diesel engines for various truck manufacturers.

When faced with laying off workers Chuck's concern for the economic situation of his employees kept him up at night and led him to come up with an alternative. Rather than terminating 50 workers he convinced the parent company to instead keep these employees on the payroll but instead offer their services to the community.

"This is our most productive plant, and it's because of these people," Eric Tech, president of Navistar Engine Group, told People magazine.

Of the 250 assembly line workers, 20% volunteer so all the workers can keep their plant positions, according to a report on abcnews.com.

For the past three months the employees built or repaired 79 wheelchair ramps for Care Assurance System for the Aging and Homebound of Madison County, according to the Huntsville Times.

The group also finished most of one Habitat for Humanity home and framed a second. They sorted donated clothes and other inventory at three Salvation Army thrift stores.

And as of April 19 the employees were back on the job at the two Navistar plants at Jetplex Industrial Park next to Huntsville International Airport.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko Blog | Senior Editor

Focus: Expansion Management & the Biotech & Life Sciences Industries

Email: [email protected]

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Senior Editor Adrienne Selko manages IndustryWeek’s Expansion Management, delivering ideas and information about how successful manufacturers leverage location to gain competitive advantage. She explores the strategies behind why companies located their headquarters, research institutes, factories, warehouse and distribution centers and other facilities where they did, and how they benefit from the decision.

Adrienne is also the editorial coordinator of the IndustryWeek Expansion Management Roundtable events, which unites economic development professionals to network and discuss the latest trends in site location.

As well, Adrienne tells the stories of successful companies in the biotechnology and life sciences industries.

In the past, Adrienne has managed IndustryWeek’s award-winning website, overseeing eNewletters, webinars, and contributed content. Before joining the staff, Adrienne was managing editor of corporate publications at a large regional financial institution. She also ran a public relations and marketing company that published a best-selling healthcare book.

Adrienne received a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Michigan and is especially interested in wellness and natural health.