Exide Technologies in Columbus unexpectedly closes leaving employees upset, confused (Albany: sales, employment)

[Fountain-of-youth]

Many Columbus residents are left confused, upset, and without a job this weekend after the unexpected closure of a large local plant.

Exide Technologies, located on Joy Rd. in Columbus, sent a letter to all employees on Saturday explaining that they were closing down the plant and laying off all employees, effective on Monday.

According to the letter, Exide says the closure is due to “changes in market demand” as well as “structural inefficiencies.”

Employees expressed frustration over both the lack of notice and the manner by which they were notified.

The company, which primarily manufactures batteries, also states that they chose to disseminate the information in a letter rather than in a meeting after “threats of violence” brought into question the “safety of the employees.”

Employees say they are also confused after the company would not allow anyone to return to the facility even to return company equipment or retrieve personal items.

Excide states employee’s pay and benefits will continue for the next 60 days, but that all active employment has been terminated.

The company says they will keep a small number of employees on for a little while longer during the transition, but that it will be completely shut down by the end of this month.

Exide Technologies in Columbus unexpectedly closes leaving employees upset, confused

Our Chambers of Commerce has to be second to Albany's. Factories leaving the area with NO explanation.

[citidata18]

How many employees did they have?

[JayHey]

Around 200 employees. It's pretty stupid for the article to not include that.

I'm sensitive to those who are losing their jobs, but I'm not sad to see this place closing. They've been releasing way too much lead into the air for decades and regularly get fined by federal or state agencies. There are other battery plants in Columbus which do not have the compliance issues Exide has.

The manner in which the company notified its employees is pretty pansy too.

[SeetheUSA]

Yeah, I agree Jayhey- this company has some real ethical issues sending letters with no notice. They're only redeeming value is the 60 day pay/benefits. I hope the employees can find gainful employment elsewhere quickly.

I really wish the GA DEA would investigate the site and fine them into bankruptcy!

[columbusboy8]

In the meantime, where is our new mayor and what is he doing to move Columbus forward?? There is an awful amount of silence coming from the mayor's office, and from city leaders, in general. That includes our airport authority and Chamber of Commerce!! Columbus seems to be losing more industry lately than it's gaining!

[Columbus1984]

The CoC is basically useless here. They do absolutely nothing to promote our city for outside investment. Why they exist is beyond me. I think the entire CoC should be fired and new blood brought in.

[Fountain-of-youth]

Originally Posted by columbusboy8

In the meantime, where is our new mayor and what is he doing to move Columbus forward?? There is an awful amount of silence coming from the mayor's office, and from city leaders, in general. That includes our airport authority and Chamber of Commerce!! Columbus seems to be losing more industry lately than it's gaining!

where is our new mayor and what is he doing to move Columbus forward?? There is an awful amount of silence coming from the mayor's office, and from city leaders, in general.

He's somewhere having dinner with the city manager,bragging about the amount of road projects going on, while making plans for the next sales tax to build a new Government Center.

[Fountain-of-youth]

Originally Posted by Columbus1984

The CoC is basically useless here. They do absolutely nothing to promote our city for outside investment. Why they exist is beyond me. I think the entire CoC should be fired and new blood brought in.

I wonder how that columbus 2025 campaign going?

[columbusboy8]

Hopefully the Sports Council is still actively working to bring Womens' Olympic Softball back here!!!!

[DWColumbus]

What is being done to attract new companies and higher paying jobs to our area? I think they need to do something drastic to bring in some new companies t out area, especially higher paying ones. Sitting around and waiting for a startup to become a big company in 20 or 30 years isn't going to cut it!