Proterra to select Greenville for new manufacturing plant; 1,300 new jobs.

[USNRET04]

Originally Posted by g-man430

Hiring is starting to ramp up at Proterra as the company shifts from prototype phase to full on production phase: Proterra., Inc

Proterra trims job estimates, now only 400 to be hired instead of 1300.

Proterra trims jobs estimate | The Greenville News | GreenvilleOnline.com

[g-man430]

Not surprising unfortunately. I don't even think they'll create the 400 jobs they are now predicting but will probably top out somewhere around 200.

[Made_it_To_the_Metroplex]

Originally Posted by g-man430

Not surprising unfortunately. I don't even think they'll create the 400 jobs they are now predicting but will probably top out somewhere around 200.

Well, something's better than nothing. Has demand simply not materialized??

[bikeoid]

Originally Posted by UpstateBooster

Well, something's better than nothing. Has demand simply not materialized??

While I don't know about demand VS predicted volumes, their current move makes sense. As they were optimizing the product and manufacturing layout, it was convenient to make or finish some parts on the fly during assembly. But now that the X widget design is stabilized, it makes sense to outsource those parts to suppliers who have specialized, automated equipment to mass produce them for much less cost and labor. In terms of jobs, there will be some job or economic boost for cases where those suppliers are in the area - I think they show a short clip of one in the area:
Electric Bus Maker To Hire 900 Fewer Workers

[Shadetree930]

I have to wonder if they will survive at all in the coming economy.

As government budgets shrink, the subsidies that are the underpinning of 'green' companies like Proterra will dissappear (much like Ethanol subsidies). Without subsidies, the economics of these green endeavors make less business sense and there you have it ..... no jobs.

[Made_it_To_the_Metroplex]

Originally Posted by bikeoid

While I don't know about demand VS predicted volumes, their current move makes sense. As they were optimizing the product and manufacturing layout, it was convenient to make or finish some parts on the fly during assembly. But now that the X widget design is stabilized, it makes sense to outsource those parts to suppliers who have specialized, automated equipment to mass produce them for much less cost and labor.[/url]

I agree with that logic, but I have to wonder... Wouldn't they have accounted & planned for that from the get-go, and wouldn't their original jobs estimates be based on such planning?