Weiser Lock Will Relocate Manufacturing to Tucson

Weiser Lock Co., which will phase out its Huntington Beach plant by the end of the year, said Thursday that it will move its manufacturing facilities from the ocean to the desert--Tucson, to be exact.

Company officials had announced in August that the factory would close, laying off an estimated 1,100 workers over 18 months. They blamed their decision, in part, on the high cost of doing business on the Southern California coast.

Weiser President Jim Connors reiterated that view Thursday in a prepared statement:

“After an extensive review of possible cities, the decision was made to move manufacturing operations to Tucson, based on cost factors involved in operating a state-of-the-art lock manufacturing facility and the availability of a skilled work force,” Connors said.

Weiser officials chose Tucson earlier this week and began an immediate search for existing facilities or appropriate locations for the 275,000 square feet required for assembly, packaging and plating operations.

Weiser’s headquarters will remain in Huntington Beach.

“The relocation is a critical part of Weiser’s plan to strengthen and modernize the company, making it the premier force in the residential lock industry,” Connors said. “It will also enhance our ability to supply our customers with superior quality products with shorter delivery times.”

Weiser Lock is a leading manufacturer of residential door locks and was one of Orange County’s largest employers. The company maintains facilities in Canada, Europe, Australia, Thailand and Mexico.

The Huntington Beach facility will continue to supply door locks through 1989, company officials said.