1,100 Jobs to Be Lost as Rohr Cuts Work at Chula Vista Plant

Blaming increasing competitive pressures to lower manufacturing costs, Rohr Industries plans to cut at least 1,100 jobs, or 17% of its payroll, at its Chula Vista facility within two years and move some operations to other states, including Texas.

Although Rohr executives Thursday declined to confirm or deny the local cuts, Chairman Robert H. Goldsmith has informed employees and Acting Chula Vista Mayor Leonard Moore of the planned reductions.

At a meeting with Goldsmith on Wednesday, Moore said the executive told him that high energy costs and the company’s desire to reduce its rental of San Diego Unified Port District buildings were factors in the decision to reduce its 6,600-worker payroll in Chula Vista. The port has raised rents at its buildings recently.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Rohr said that “certain manufacturing operations at the Chula Vista facility are better suited to be accomplished elsewhere.”

“It isn’t our intention to relocate all manufacturing, but our industry has entered into a global competitive environment that requires change,” the statement said. A Rohr spokesman declined to elaborate or add to the statement, but did say that published reports that 2,400 jobs would be eliminated were inaccurate.

Moore said Goldsmith told him that he had informed nearly all employees affected by the cuts either in person or by a videotaped message. Most jobs affected are manufacturing jobs involving heavy labor and energy costs, he said.

Rohr Industries, a manufacturer of jet engine rings and nacelles, or housings, also operates major plants in Arkansas, Texas and Maryland.

When reports of impending job cuts began to circulate this week, Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce President James Biddle said he tried unsuccessfully to arrange a meeting between the chamber’s executive committee and Goldsmith to “discuss various issues with Rohr and its compatible relationship with the community.”

The chamber was told that the earliest date for a possible meeting with Goldsmith would be in July.

“It’s in the best interest of the chamber to understand the company’s position, and certainly we want to preserve and protect as many jobs as we are able to influence in our community,” Biddle said. “It’s always easier to keep and preserve jobs here than go through a more expensive procedure to recruit new business and bring jobs in.”

Rohr’s Chula Vista payroll totaled 6,581 workers last month, compared to 6,750 last year and 5,389 in 1987.