Philips plant plans to close yearend 2013

BATH—Philips Lighting has announced it will close its Bath facility by the end of 2013.
Amy Shanler, Philips Lighting director of public and media relations, said employees were notified last Wednesday, Dec. 5.  She said the Bath plant employs 280 workers.  Shanler explained she could not say how many of the workers are from the Hammondsport area.  
The facility manufactures high intensity discharge (HID) products and halogen components.  The parent company, Royal Philips Electronics, is based in the Netherlands.  The company focuses on healthcare, lifestyle, and lighting.
“As a result of the long-term evolution taking place within the lighting industry, and the move toward more controllable, digital lighting technologies, Philips will be phasing out production at its Bath, N.Y., facility,” said Shanler.  “Reductions in workforce are always a difficult decision, and Philips is committed to managing all matters related to the 280-member workforce affected in a respectful and professional manner.”
Steuben County Industrial Development Agency Executive Director James Johnson said the workforce is split between 250 hourly employees and 30 salaried workers.  He said he has contacted Philips’ corporate leadership and scheduled meetings to better understand what led to the closing.  He added Philips Lighting has been very receptive to sit down and discuss how to limit the impact to employees.  Once closed, Johnson said the Steuben IDA would work to market the facility when it’s ready.
The closing announcement follows a similar report in September of this year that the Sikorsky Military Completions Center will close the Horseheads location by Dec. 31, 2012.  The closing will reportedly leave 570 people without jobs.  Sikorsky is a leader in commercial and military helicopter production, including the widely known military BLACK HAWK helicopter.