Kimball closing plant in California; Jasper benefits with more job security and additional jobs

Kimball is closing its Fremont, CA electronics assembly facility by the end of September and work will be transferred to Kimball Electronics in Jasper.

Kimball received the facility in a 2007 acquisition, but the medical and high-end industrial electronics plant has not been profitable. According to Marty Vaught, Kimball Director of Public Relations, moving the plant will help Kimball improve its margins for those products.

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“What this means for the employees of Kimball Electronics is more job security,” Vaught stated.

The additional lines also raise Jasper’s profile as a manufacturer in the medical and high-end electronics field.

Vaught also stated that due to current contracts and the addition of the lines from the Fremont plant, Kimball Electronics will be hiring for expanding shifts. The facility will be moving from a two shift/five day schedule to a three shift/seven day schedule.

The California facility has 52 employees; some will be offered the opportunity to transfer to Jasper, but it’s unknown yet how many workers will take that option.

Kimball International Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2011 results report.