Wolverine World Wide tannery to close in downtown Rockford

[GRDadof3]

If you've ever been on the White Pine Trail through Rockford, you've probably seen (and smelled) this old tannery just North of downtown Rockford near the banks of the Rogue River. I have mixed emotions on this. It's sad to see more people laid off, but I always thought it'd make a great reuse project being so close to the downtown area. It probably would qualify for tax credits for all the chemical cleanup it will need.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/ind..._worldwide.html

[Explorer]

The article does not mention anything about where the jobs or tanning operation will go. Does anyone know how many jobs are actually being impacted? WWW has always been a healthy business, I can only assume this has more to do with an outdated building, logistics, and so forth versus the state of the company.

[fotoman311]

The article does not mention anything about where the jobs or tanning operation will go. Does anyone know how many jobs are actually being impacted? WWW has always been a healthy business, I can only assume this has more to do with an outdated building, logistics, and so forth versus the state of the company.

[jas49503]

I remember reading a quote from a WWW spokeman saying that they were outsourcing the tanning to Asia to be closer to the centers of production. On the radio today (WGVU midday I believe), I recall they said that 90 jobs would be eliminated by closing the tannery, but with the consolidation of distribution here in Michigan, and some other changes, there will be a net jobs gain. Now, some of that could just be spin. I think I read that they are closing a distribution center in Ontario and moving it here. Unfortunately, I don't have anymore links. Seems like it was something I read on Mlive though.