On that day -- when the airplane maker's lease runs out -- there will be 484,000 square feet of space near Salina Municipal Airport available to companies to replace some 238 jobs moving out of town.

Officials with the International Aerospace Machinists Union informed members of Local 2328, Salina, that Hawker Beechcraft planned to close the Salina plant.

Salina workers were unsure Monday morning when the plant would close, and how many and where those jobs would be headed.

"What the company put out was they are closing the Salina plant. There is no timeline," said Pat Maxey, 46, a local union negotiator. A sheet metal assembler, he has worked 18 years in Salina.

The only definite, workers said, was that they would have their jobs through Friday.

"The union told us. They went back in for more meetings," said Teresa Barten, 54, who has worked at Hawker Beechcraft for 19 years.

"Salina's definitely closing. Everybody's pissed," she said.

The company has been a "valued tenant since 1966" and among the first signed after Schilling Air Force Base closed, Tim Rogers, executive director of the Salina Airport Authority, said at a Monday afternoon press conference at the M.J. Kennedy Air Terminal.

Sign of the times

"It is an unfortunate sign of the times," that Hawker Beechcraft has opted to close its Salina operations, where airplane wings, fuselages and the vertical and horizontal tail sections are made, he said.

Hawker Beechcraft's move is "one we regret," Rogers said, speaking for public entities that tried in vain since late summer to change the big employer's mind.

Rogers, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Dennis Lauver and other leaders planned to be in Denver on Monday, working on incentives to keep Hawker Beechcraft in Salina. The goal was to secure a federal Commerce Department grant for upgrades to the 10 buildings leased to Hawker Beechcraft. Those leases represent $424,000 in rental income a year to the airport authority, Rogers said.

"We never meant to have a press conference such as this, where we're announcing a plant closing," said Randy Duncan, Saline County Commission chairman. "It is a tough hit. I know Saline County and Salina will recover from this."

Disastrous for employees

Lauver stressed the local management and labor are not to blame.

"The people employed by Hawker Beechcraft are our neighbors and deserve our support," he said.

Salina City Manager Jason Gage called the news "disastrous" for Hawker Beechcraft employees.

"They're good, highly skilled people, very dedicated," he said.

While Hawker Beechcraft's exit presents a "serious challenge and setback for the community," Gage pledged to assist the airport authority in bringing in "high-quality, stable jobs."

What would it take?

Lauver detailed efforts by local entities to meet with the company, starting in late July and early August.

After "repeated requests, a broad and general statement of need about Salina operations was eventually received from Wichita. There were no specifics," Lauver said, reading from a prepared statement. "When Salina requested additional details, it was not forthcoming. To the degree that we could, we provided help with vague information requests."

Kansas officials contacted Hawker Beechcraft in October, he said.

"Information promised to top state of Kansas leaders was never delivered to Topeka," Lauver said.

It was Oct. 15 when company officials told the Wichita media of plans to close Salina operations, he said.

"That very day, company officials based in Wichita promised that 'nothing has been decided,' " Lauver said.

Kansas congressional leaders -- Sens. Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback and Rep. Jerry Moran -- attempted to contact the company for a discussion.

"(Elected leaders) responded to help Salina, but the request for a meeting was not agreed to by senior company leadership," Lauver said.

The first "clear information" from Hawker Beechcraft came Oct. 19, he said. "It was made clear to Hawker Beechcraft that local incentives will be conditioned on a minimum number of jobs maintained and lease extension."

Rogers said he was informed by phone of Hawker Beechcraft's decision to close, but he didn't say when the call was received.

The process, or lack of one, has been "extremely frustrating," Gage said. "Typically, folks will sit down with us to address the issues."

Salina has buildings

Going forward, the community has a strategy.

"As Hawker Beechcraft facilities become available, it will position Salina as a place for jobs," Lauver said.

In his economic development plan detailed July 14, Lauver said there is a need for industrial buildings.

"We've always offered build-to-suit facilities and they are never interested because they wanted buildings that are immediately available," Lauver said.

Gage lauded the airport authority's aviation service center concept to bring in jobs that are "possibly as recession proof as any in aviation."

Hawker Beechcraft's decision doesn't change the fact that Salina and Saline County "is an excellent place to live, work and raise a family," Rogers said, citing examples that aviation is on the rebound.

Hawker Beechcraft just replaced the roofs of eight of the 10 buildings it leases, Rogers said, and the airport authority has identified more than $3 million in improvements to prepare those buildings for new tenants.

Better news is ahead

While the announcement was "bad news" Monday, Rogers said better news is ahead for the community.

Meanwhile, Hawker Beechcraft worker Maxey said he's "trying to survive." Several of his colleagues are applying with other companies.

If his job is made available somewhere else, such as Wichita, Maxey is unsure whether he'll relocate.

"I'll have to think about it then," he said. "They have said they are going to be moving more work to Mexico. Whether that's our work ... we don't know."

n Reporter Tim Unruh can be reached at 822-1419 or by e-mail at tunruh@salina.com.

Join the Discussion:

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Need a job??? says....
For those of you who do not have major criminal convictions - CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES ARE HIRING, we really need help. Many of us are sick of all the overtime we endure because we need more staffing! Sure, it may be a cut in pay for you, but at least it is a SECURE job with medical benefits. Think about it, and apply at your nearest correctional facility today. (Tours available upon request)
12/25/2009

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wish I could live in Salina says....
I agree with worker.
I also hope that the company has the decency to tell the workers in a humane manner.
Salina needs to enlist and recruit new industries. I am a college educated professional who had to move from Salina several years ago due to lack of jobs/industry. I would love to live in Salina as I have family currently living there and I would love to be close to them but without a job I can not do so. sad,sad, sad....
12/23/2009

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Bill says....
I left beech in 1969,in two and a half yrs,I endured two layoffs and a strike,from which none of us recovered...while trying to raise a small child,and another one due,I realized this was no future for me,find more stable work,look in Topeka,Kansas City,or get out of state,this is typical of big but empty union promises of pie in the sky.. union companies that get you no where in the long run...and haven't been viable for employees since Jimmy Hoffa....
12/23/2009

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Midwest Dude says....
Everybody should realize the aircraft manufacturing industry is extremely volatile.....it has been that way for years and probably always will be. I left Beech in the late '70's when it became apparent the aircraft industry was sinking, and I never looked back. American is no longer a manufacturing power, and likely will never get back to being a significant manufacturer in the worldwide scheme of things. Industry in other countries simply has better engineering and design, and workers willing to work for reasonable wages. Frankly, I'm not sorry to see any union-represented factory close, as greedy union leadership has brought it all on themselves. Leaving Beech was the best thing I could have ever done, and there's no reason everyone else can't find better employment with a more stable employer. I did.
12/23/2009

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concerned says....
Lets all blame ourselves for wanting cheap products and a cheap price. its a trickle down effect. the little thing you buy at Walmart or anywhere that is made in China will take away another job here in the states. I say, buy American! Even if it cost more. lets support our countries products. God knows those other countries arent supporting ours!.
12/23/2009

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says....
Prepare yourselfs Salina United Way. The Hawker Employees after all these years of giving, giving and more giving will be at your door so please prepare yourselfs. Look out health department we will need your help also. Sorry Doctors most of us will use over the counter meds in hopes that we recover from illness because we won't be able to afford Cobra to come see you. Prepare gas stations, we once filled up our vehicles twice a week well now it will be once every two weeks. Realitors prepare for a lot of foreclosures. Resturants beware we won't be able to afford to eat there anymore and McDonalds maybe not you either. Please pray for us.
11/15/2009

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Flat says....
There does not to seem to be a quick fix to this tragety.It is over and it is time to try to pick the pieces and start over. Unfortunatly some of you folks depended on that income that was very good considering Salina averages. It was well above mine. Yet I do feel your pain and anguish. It is times like this that this we (ALL) should try to help out and not kick one who is down just because there income was more than mine. I beilieve our rewards lay in the fact we do have compassion.
11/15/2009

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Laid off HBC says....
For the guy that says get off your butts: You obviously have a decent paying job (or are at least making it sound so). The only jobs here are for food service and minimum wage does NOT pay the mortgage and utility payments. The other jobs out there pretty much want a degree for something and most degrees are as good as toilet paper for someone who actually knows how to perform that same job without a degree. THIS CITY NEEDS BETTER PAYING AND MORE PRODUCTIVE JOBS THAN FAST FOOD! And just to rub it in...I have been laid off since April and have found nothing, gotta love the $450/wk. Which brings me to my next point. Why work a minimum wage job and not come close to that weekly income for doing nothing. Yes, I know the benefits are not endless but you should see my point in this.
11/15/2009

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Hope an Faith says....
This comment is for the guy who advises get off your butts and find a job. WOW you seem to think these jobs are out there.Good luck! Let these guys Vent its not just there job, its called monthly mortgage , food, utility, car payments, insurance, ect. ect. you apparently still have your job. I wonder if you even have a clue what its going to be like. I know one thing for sure these workers will. And I don't doubt for minute all of them will be trying very hard to find work.And they will!!!!!
11/14/2009

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prepare says....
My comment is to all of hawker workers.They need to let you guys know whats going on. Instead of playing the cat and mouse game.Use you till the last minute.Of course every day means a paycheck.But my husband and I know we have gone threw it with another company. The stress was horrible.And prepare it will not get any better.So try and remember you all are not alone. Half this town is layed off. It takes about a week or two and reality sets in. Until then you get up thinking I gotta go to work. Its tuff. We know its going to happen, get all your prescriptions filled you know like preparing for a crisis.Cause this IS!
11/12/2009

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says....
If I was out of a job for any amount of time regardless of my old payscale and degree I would work anywhere just to take care of my family. Unemployed since April thats absured! I love being taxed for people to sit on there butt and get unemployment. Sorry to all Hawker employees I know how you must feel however its not going to help to sit around and complain about it whats done is done. I would be looking through the classifieds for a new job
11/11/2009

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True or False says....
Does anyone remember when the Goodyear plant went to Topeka instead of coming to Salina--The rumor was kept out of Salina by the milling-elevator interest in Salina. I don't know if this is true but the rumor was around for years.....
11/11/2009

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what happend says....
The united states government and the greedy ceo's of americas biggest company's have murderd the lifes blood of our great country, MANUFACTURING. What did everyone forget? It sure wasnt the internet or the t.v. that made this country the best. It was the hard working men and women of the working middle class. When you farm out all these jobs to china and mexico you take food out of an american families mouth. All we are doing now is giving all our greatness to china because it will save some rich people some money. So i guess ill half to move to china or mexico if i want a job.
11/11/2009

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Concerned says....
I believe there should be continued dialogue with the CEO of Hawker Beechcraft. After reading a recent article in the Wichita Eagle, titled, Well Positioned for Growth, the article stated, that there are some encouraging signs. That orders have exceeded cancellations for the second quarter in a row. The leaders of Salina should continue dialogue with State Congressional Leaders to get in contact with the CEO of Hawker Beechcraft to continue pushing for some dialogue with him about keeping the Salina Plant open. The lease is still good through February 2012, so there is still time for dialogue. Many of these employees have worked hard for this company for a very long time. The local leaders and state congressional leaders should continue to request more dialogue with the CEO to find out why he is requesting that the Salina Plant be closed. The CEO needs to be made aware of how this Plant is a big part of Salina and has been for many years and the impact it will have on the employees, their families, and Salina.
11/10/2009

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call the union says....
Guess a strike didnt help the 500 who will be unemployed...when will enough ever be enough...
11/10/2009

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Fair Tax Now says....
The person who said, "I think our government should stop any aid to US companies, bailout etc. monies, that move any part of their operations to another country." is right on the money!! I am tired of being urged to "Buy American" when hardly anything is actually Made in America anymore. Everybody had a fit when Boeing lost the military tanker bid to a foreign company (which actually has plants in America) but everyone turns a blind eye to companies moving their manufacturing to foreign countries. It isn't just cheap wages that make those moves to Mexico so financially advantageous to companies like HawkerBeechcraft--they don't have to pay taxes on their inventory, employment and wage taxes or benefits to their foreign employees. Repealing the income tax code as it exists now and adopting the Fair Tax plan would remove the financial incentive for companies to take their manufacturing out of the country. I would sure like to see companies penalized for moving jobs out of this country instead of being rewarded for it by not having to pay millions of dollars of taxes. If you're count to really count jobs lost from Beech start back when there were over 800 people working at the Salina plant. The jobs began disappearing from Beech back when it was Raytheon--the first thing that company did was outsource the entire plastics department, then the spares dept. (parts) and then they moved a lot of the assembly to the Wichita division. My husband has been working at the Salina plant since 1973. The likelihood that he'll find work at his age (late 50's) that even comes close to his current wage and benefits is nil. He'll be lucky to land a job as a greeter at Wal-Mart!
11/10/2009

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a tired American says....
i belive as i watch and listen to the maojor companies say that it cost to much to make our products in the united states let us move them over seas or into mexico. I also see that after this is done they give themselves a big bonus what are these companies really doing? They are shipping all our trade jobs over seas, what is America going to use when everbody turns there backs to the US. We will not have the tradesman or craftsman skilled to build anything to defend ourselves. Thinnk America
11/10/2009

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Roads says....
I agree the city fathers are and have been against new industry. Wonder how they like that decision now?
11/10/2009

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concerned wife says....
My husband was an employee of Hawker and was laid off in April. He has not been able to find a job ANYWHERE! He has looked across the U.S. and has thus far had no luck. He has an engineering degree, but right now that doesn't seem to matter to anyone. I can understand a shutdown of a plant if it's not producing enough to stay afloat, but to move the company to Mexico is absurd. So much for taking care of your own. I just wish companies would really and truely think about the ramifications of their actions.
11/10/2009

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Bobbie Wilson says....
I can't help but think an era has ended. My family moved to Salina in 1966 so that my dad, Bob Wilson, could open the Beech plant in Salina. I am deeply affected by this as Beech was the livelihood of our family. My parents, both now retired, worked hard for the company. It hurts my heart that all the years I grew up in and around Beech are now just a memory.
11/10/2009

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Concerned citizen says....
I am sure it is devastating to have you income suddenly dissapear... I went through this in the 80's and remember it well...My son has several friends who's parents are caught up in this......Let's not waste playing the blame game and work together to support our community and citizens and work to bring more industry to Salina.....I spoke with the owner of Mid America Powersports several years ago about the business climate in Salina. He told me that He and other business owners in Wichita didn't understand why Salina never grew....AFter owning a motorcycle dealership for approx. a year(he bought out Beggs Yamaha) he understood.... His statement that the powers behind the scenes didn't want new business in Salina competing for their employees with better wages...This is a discussion for another day.......To the employees of HB----Sorry---look ahead-things will improve somehow
11/10/2009

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salina home owner says....
I agree with Steve 100% and am really surprised that his was even listed, I replied very close to it and it still doesn't show.
11/10/2009

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Ryan says....
Dont forget - Business aircraft manufacturing is down more than 48% since last year, mostly due to the negative reaction to three idiots who flew to Washington last year in separate aircraft to beg for government money. So, lets not complain about what's already happened, but what we can do to make things better for the future.
11/10/2009

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glad to have a job says....
well said "worker" well said
11/10/2009

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Steve says....
I really like the statement "Salina has buildings", wow I am really happy about that, maybe they can put in another restaurant! It can be a nostalgic place where people can go eat and remember the ONCE salina was a great place to work, live, raise a family. You know if the city commissioners were on the ball about 15 years ago salina might not be hurting as bad as they are going to be. 238 jobs? More like around 500 people, don't forget about everyone laid off in april that STILL hasn't found any work yet. I really don't think the city commissioners have a clue to how bad this is going to hurt salina, or even if they care. Salina is going stagnant, plain and simple. I know of at least 100 people that are tired of salina not having sufficient enough jobs to support the cost of living in this town, guess what they are looking elsewhere!!!! I am looking elsewhere, I have lived around salina my whole life and now I have to look outside the city, maybe even the state just to find a decent job. Salina has two major interstates running through it, we should be as big as wichita!!!!!! But we are not because the commissioners have been avoiding trying to bring in good paying jobs, they are more worried about the new restaurants that is paying our good hard working citizens minimum wage instead of a good wage. This won't kill salina in the least, but I can see the population changing dramatically. I guess the lower the population the better off salina is?? So lets everybody all stand up and give the city commissioners a big pat on the back for helping bring in good paying jobs like Hutchinson has done, or Wichita has done, or Mcpherson has done. All these other cities want to grow and prosper, not salina they want to be a retirement community, that way they don't have to worry about jobs, just social security checks.......
11/10/2009

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Salina Resident says....
Part of the problem is in the perception the "city fathers" have of this situation. They see 238 jobs "moving out of town". A little over a year ago there were more than 500 people employed at Hawker-Beech. Through continuous cuts and lay-offs that number has dwindled to 238. There are over 260 employees either still out of work or underemployed. Those people should be counted as well as the remaining employees. In reality, rather than the perception of reality held by the "city fathers", over 500 jobs will be "leaving" and there does not appear to be anything on the horizon to bring them back. I believe the city of Salina and the Airport Authority are far more concerned with loss of revenue after Feb. 28, 2012 when the leases on buildings expire than they are with the fact that 500 plus people lost good-paying, seemingly secure jobs. And before anyone asks, no, I am not nor have I ever been an employee of Beechcraft, Raytheon, Hawker-Beech or any Beech entity.
11/10/2009

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says....
To Worker: Your comment is the most sane, and level headed I have read. You hit the nail on the head. It is a sad day and sadly a sign of the times when a company moves operations to another country, such as Mexico, and in turn the USA gets and has to support illeagal's from Mexico, who take away from US citizens monies and health care benifits, that are ours. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CITIZENS....If the jobs are going to Mexico, then let Mexico keep it's own citizens. This migration of incoming illeagl's and jobs going to Mexico and other countries has to stop. I don't see how our economy can begin to flurish, if jobs are leaving the USA. I think our government should stop any aid to US companies, bailout etc. monies, that move any part of their operations to another country.
11/10/2009

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worker says....
Its a sad day for many. The union will blame the company and the company will blame the union and economy. Really its just greed by both. The company can never make enough money to be satisfied and the union will try and get as mush of the profits for its workers as possible. We can only blame ourselves as workers of Hawker Beechcraft. My only hope is that the company tell the workers when the close date instead of them hearing it from the media or a memo as you are cleaning up for the day.
11/10/2009

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