Howard Miller Shutting Martinsville Plant
Howard Miller to Shift 70 Jobs to Michigan After Martinsville Plant Closing
October 2007
Howard Miller announced Wednesday that it will shift production from its Ridgeway Clock Company factory in Martinsville, Va., to a facility at its headquarters in Zeeland, Mich., over the next few months. About 70 people work at the Martinsville factory.
In a 75-word statement, Howard Miller officials said the Zeeland plant offers “increased efficiencies” and said “all product groups within the company will benefit.”
Howard Miller purchased Ridgeway Clocks in 2004, and, according to a report in the Martinsville Bulletin, clock production was shifted to Michigan, but the Martinsville factory continued to produce curios and other furniture. Ridgeway has an 81-year history in Martinsville, and one example of its close ties to the community has been the 42-year tradition of awarding a Ridgeway grandfather clock to the winner of an annual Nascar Nextel Cup race at Martinsville Speedway.
In a 75-word statement, Howard Miller officials said the Zeeland plant offers “increased efficiencies” and said “all product groups within the company will benefit.”
Howard Miller purchased Ridgeway Clocks in 2004, and, according to a report in the Martinsville Bulletin, clock production was shifted to Michigan, but the Martinsville factory continued to produce curios and other furniture. Ridgeway has an 81-year history in Martinsville, and one example of its close ties to the community has been the 42-year tradition of awarding a Ridgeway grandfather clock to the winner of an annual Nascar Nextel Cup race at Martinsville Speedway.
