Cintas To Close Two Kentucky Plants

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Posted: 7:39 PM Dec 2, 2008
Last Updated: 12:59 AM Dec 3, 2008

16 comments

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Just weeks before Christmas, hundreds of Kentucky workers learn they'll soon be without a job.

Cintas announced Tuesday afternoon it will close its factories in Perry and Bath counties, and employees at those plants have only nine weeks until they're unemployed.

The company says the closures are part of an effort to consolidate its apparel manufacturing operations.

In all, 298 people will lose their jobs, effective January 31st of next year.

"Unfortunately, the economic climate and reduction in demand for products manufactured at these plants left us with limited options," said Scott Farmer, CEO of Cintas Corporation. "Our top priority is to assist our employee-partners and their families throughout this transition," he added.

The plant in Perry County makes uniform work shirt while the plant in Owingsville makes work pants.

Cintas says it will help the employees who are losing their jobs by providing severance pay and health-care coverage for a time.

Cintas is headquartered in Cincinnati and makes products like uniforms and restroom supplies for about 800,000 businesses.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Nathan A. on Dec 5, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Folks, to tell you the truth ALL policticans are crooks, Democrats or Republicans. They don't care about the American people anymore at least not nowadays anyway. They only care for theirselves and their friends and family. They put theirselves first, not the people. We as American people were cut off when they got elected. And TG I completely agree with you.

Posted by: TG on Dec 5, 2008 at 07:35 AM
First, my thoughts are with those who lost their jobs. I only hope things will come together for each of you. My thoughts are that the current administration is totally to blame. Everyone can blame CLINTON for the NAFTA deal but the overpriced cost of OIL is directly the cause. The fed cheif said some time ago that the country could withstand this high price, $147 a barrel, but we see now that didn't happen. I'll be so happy when 46 days passes and BUSH and his cronies are gone. However, we do have some holdovers that need to go as well. It will be a struggle to get the country back but I do believe it will happen. BUSH has caused to much wrong with this country. Let him leave and build his $10 million home on his $1 million lot they bought in Dallas !!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: George Location: Hazard on Dec 4, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Bush will leave the office in about 44 days(Thank God) as the worst President ever and here is some of those reasons.

Posted by: Jessica on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:07 AM
I hear most voted republican--sad.

Posted by: Kellie on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM
And Kentucky voted Republican last month--go figure.

Posted by: mary Location: vicco on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:52 PM
I hate to see the factory close. I worked there for about 14 years and I have alot of friends that need their jobs. It seems like something else could have been done rather than closing the plant in Hazard or Bath for that matter. It seems everything is leaving the states and going overseas for cheap labor. What can the AMERICAN PEOPLE do about working their life away for a company and then just up and lose their jobs when something should be done.

Posted by: chips41 Location: getridofdems on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:38 PM
dems..cause this mess i work for cintas and loved. it. clinton destroyed everything for the economy..bush tried to clean up the mess.. and here its going to get worse for everyone...with the dems that are going in now.. so i guess we will have to take the boot twice ..and everyone else will to so sit back and enjoy the ride..

Posted by: Alloy20 on Dec 3, 2008 at 06:20 PM
Clinton = NAFTA Clinton / Chris Dodd = CRA / Fannie Freddie red line loans that were doomed from the beginning and were the domino that started the credit / money freeze chain reaction that we are in now. At some point, when the financial markets believe that Obama isn't going to further stall the economy with a bunch of new capital gains and corporate income taxes, then the money will start flowing again, and eventually companies will start buying work uniforms again, and if the closed plants made a quality product at a competitve price, then maybe Cintas will open the plants back up.

Posted by: Brian Location: Flemingsburg, Ky on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:27 PM
I worked for Bath Mfg for 9 yrs. Hate to see it leave. Whats this country coming to. Is their any help for our Economy? Prob.not!!!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Mt. Vernon on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:26 PM
My mom loss her job at Cintas in Mt. Vernon i knowed that the otherones would be next

Posted by: Thelma Location: Bath County on Dec 3, 2008 at 02:19 PM
These republican(Hoover years) is going to starve us all to death.

Posted by: stacey Location: ky on Dec 3, 2008 at 09:31 AM
to the families...just remember that everything will be ok there was a job out there when you got that one and you will find another one...good luck!

Posted by: Kelvin on Dec 3, 2008 at 09:15 AM
Don't blame me I didn't vote for Bush or McConnell.

Posted by: Teresa on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Don't thank George Bush and Chaney you can only thank President Clinton for the mess our Country is in. He signed NAFTA not Bush

Posted by: rjpm Location: Lex on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Mickey Mouse, this has nothing to do with Bush. Businesses open, businesses close. It is part of corporate America and always has been.

Posted by: Susan on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:03 AM
It's Christmas time,sure hope Bush is proud of what he has done to the average working family.

Posted by: Terri Location: east ky on Dec 3, 2008 at 07:41 AM
Just another victim of the republican failed economic policies and East KY voters voted for McCain and McConnell, now how sad is that?

Posted by: Diane Location: Owingsville on Dec 3, 2008 at 06:53 AM
Key Electronics recently closed down right next door to Bath Mfg, so the county has lost two factory plants. I hope the county can survive the lost revenue from these losses.

Posted by: A Location: L on Dec 3, 2008 at 05:21 AM
If factories that make work clothes for this country start closing do to lack of orders, what does that say about the working industry right now?

Posted by: Mickey Mouse Location: Ohio on Dec 2, 2008 at 07:46 PM
great Bush/Cheney leaves a mess behind but they don't even know what a recession/depression is...

Posted by: Billy Location: Lexington on Dec 2, 2008 at 07:01 PM
This is sad news and I pray that all of you will get your jobs back and not be stressed in the meantime. Keep the faith.

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