Pour one out for one's homies- RIP Crane Cams
 

February 24, 2009

Crane Cams shuts down, workers laid off

By JIM WITTERS
Senior Business Writer

DAYTONA BEACH — Crane Cams, a 56-year-old auto parts manufacturer, closed its doors this week and laid off its employees, a worker said today.

The news took Volusia County’s top economic development officer by surprise. City, county and state officials were working with Crane Cams and officials from its New Jersey parent, Mikronite Technologies, to keep the company open and in the community.

“We were trying to help them through this transition,” said Rick Michael, Volusia County economic development director. “They were considering a transfer of ownership. We were not expecting any closure.”

An automated voice mail system at Crane’s plant on Fentress Boulevard announced at midday today the company was closed and suggested calling back during business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A call to Mikronite’s New Jersey offices produced similar results. Six cars sat in the parking lot early this afternoon at the local plant, which employed 220 just three years ago.

Inside the lobby, a reception desk sat empty. A call from the lobby phone got an answer from Dennis Burgess, who declined to comment and said no one at the plant could provide information.

In the parking lot, 14-year employee Ronald Dorn was leaving the plant for what he believed was the last time

He said workers were told during the past week that layoffs were likely, but he didn’t expect the plant to close.

Mikronite received approval in 2006 to receive tax rebates from the state and the county amid discussion about moving its New Jersey operations here. But the company ended its contract with the state in 2008 due to nonperformance, Michael said.

“Crane has gone through a series of small layoffs recently,” he said.

Crane Cams and Crane Technologies Group were founded by Harvey J. Crane Jr. in 1953 as Crane Engineering Inc. in Hallandale. The company is well known in high-performance and racing circles for its line of camshafts and engine valve train components.

In 1979, Crane Cams became an employee-owned company. Some operations moved to Daytona Beach in 1981, with the remainder of the operation and employees relocating here in 1985.

Mikronite, an industrial technology firm, bought Crane in 2006.

Wow....sounds like it was quite a shock.

- Justin

That is no good at all....

Well, think about this. Most car enthusiasts are spending their play money on hot parts. Take away that play money, and then the parts places are in trouble. Look at Summit. They just lowered their prices and offer sales/discounts. I haven't seen that since I started buying from them almost 10 years ago.

Yup, I know, hence, no good at all.... its a domino effect..

Wow.... sorry to hear this.

Wow, I'm surprised this wasn't bigger news.

Anyway, all may not be lost. They are doing some restructuring and may be able to keep at it. When I find out more I'll post up.

$2 says it becomes Crane Cams from China.

Crane Crams? I sure hope not. We don't need any more poor metallurgy coming overseas.

Like poorly cast spindles that crack?

Or 9/16" grade 8 bolts that strip out at 30 lb-ft because they were made of an ungraded material.

Or "soft" cams that immediatly wipe a lobe

Or brake rotor blanks that aren't straight

Ouch im upset. Atleast my 69 has a cranes cam

my 3.4 has a crane in it...that sucks...I NEED TECH SUPPORT DAMNIT!!!!!!!!!

Monday is it. They are done.

I wouldn't be surprised if a company like Edelbrock swooped in and picked up their foundry and machine tooling. Edelbrock doesn't cut their own cams as far as I know and they seem to have tried to work their way into every possible corner of the automotive market.