Eaton’s Kearney facility, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — Kearney Mayor Jonathan Nikkila commented on the announcement that Eaton planned to end its engine valve production and cut jobs at its location in Kearney on Wednesday, July 9.
Director of Global Marketing for Mobility Group Thomas Nellenbach said that it was announced to the staff that engine valve production would be ended but the engine gear production will continue.
Nellenbach said the Kearney location employs around 300 people. When asked about the exact number of positions impacted, Nellenbach said they were not announcing exact numbers at the moment.
It was noted that the majority of the staff are involved in engine valve production. Eaton has said it is a result of declining customer demand.
“As a city, we know those families will be facing difficult decisions. We want to do everything we can to give them opportunities to stay. They are our friends and neighbors. City partners are already discussing plans to present local job opportunities to the laid off workers. And people who know Kearney know that our economic development teams are tireless in finding creative, long-term solutions for moving Kearney forward,” Nikkila said in a social media post.
“So I feel like the future of the community will be secure, but this moment in time is about the employees and their families becuase they definitely do not feel that same security. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers, and if you know a friend or family member impacted please let them know how important they are to all of us in Kearney,” Nikkila concluded.
The Kearney facility, which has been in operation since 1969. It was noted in a 2018 press release, that the plant employed nearly 600 people at the time.
The same press release noted that Eaton had been named the “2017 Outstanding Business of the Year” by the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce for its many commitments to the community.
