In November 2009, Dayton Behr workers voted to approve a new contract. In return, company officials said they would try to bring new work to the facility and make it more competitive.
Now, the company wants to show workers and others what has been done with the plant, said Behr spokeswoman Indira Sadikovic.
“We kind of felt we owed everybody,” Sadikovic said.
When the contract was approved, the plant had about 770 active workers. Today, the employee number is closer to 1,000, Sadikovic said.
Operations from two plant buildings have been consolidated into one and some new equipment has been added, Sadikovic said. New production work has been scheduled for the coming year as well, thanks to a stronger automotive market. She declined to say who the plant’s newest customers are.
“We’re going to show you some stuff,” Sadikovic said.
Representatives from Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland’s and Sen. Sherrod Brown’s offices are expected to attend, as are Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell, Montgomery County Commissioner Dan Foley and others, Behr said.
Also expected to be present is Heinz Otto, president and chief executive of Behr America.
The plant makes heating, ventilation and air-conditioning parts for automotive customers.
“Behr America has completed the consolidation of its manufacturing facility, which was started after the signing of the union contract in November,” said a spokesman for Behr, Kerry Hokett. “The result of the consolidation is improved competitiveness of the Dayton plant.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2390 or tgnau@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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