Hartselle plant to cut 320 jobs By Deangelo McDaniel Staff Writer HARTSELLE — Emerson Climate Technologies will lay off 300 full-time and 20 temporary employees at its Hartselle plant, CR Compressors LLC, over the next 18 months.
The plant was formerly known as Copeland Corp.
“The layoffs are permanent,” Emerson spokesman David Baldridge said.
The plant will have 40 employees after the layoffs. Those employees will handle the machine operation, Baldridge said.
The company, which makes components for air conditioning systems, blamed the layoffs on the economic decline, stagnant housing and construction markets, as well as the government-regulated phase-out of R-22 refrigerant.
R-22 is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon that has for 40 years been the most common refrigerant for commercial and industrial air conditioning. According to studies, though, R-22 emissions contribute to ozone depletion and global warming.
Phase out
R-22’s phase out began with an international environmental agreement, the 1987 Montreal Protocol. The United States implemented the treaty through Title VI of the Clean Air Act, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency implements.
Beginning Jan. 1, manufacturers could service R-22 equipment but not produce new equipment that uses the refrigerant.
Baldridge said R-22 is used in the compressors manufactured in Hartselle.
Hartselle Mayor Dwight Tankersley said the news is devastating for the community and the employees.
“Our prayers are certainly with those families losing their jobs,” he said. “It’s always tough, but it’s especially tough in today’s economic condition.”
Notice
Tankersley commended Emerson for giving employees a long-term notice.
Also, he said the city and Morgan County Economic Development Association will work with Emerson to attract something different to the plant.
CR Compressors has been at Thompson Road and Interstate 65 since 1978. Its parent company, Emerson Electric Corp., is based in St. Louis.
Friday’s announcement is the second round of layoffs at the Hartselle plant in seven months.
In August, the company laid off 80 full-time and 100 temporary employees.
“This decision is no reflection on the quality of the employees affected by
