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12-03-2009, 07:58 AM
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#1
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,408
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GKN/Henschen Closing
I just found this info at another site. Not sure if it's confirmed at this time. GKN axle site is not responding.
GKN/Henschen closing plant in Jackson Center and will discontinue manufacture of rubber torsion axle.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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12-03-2009, 08:12 AM
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#2
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcanavera
I just found this info at another site. Not sure if it's confirmed at this time. GKN axle site is not responding.
GKN/Henschen closing plant in Jackson Center and will discontinue manufacture of rubber torsion axle.
Jack
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I was told the same thing by a pair of sources at RVIA yesterday. I was told 12/1 was their last day of operation.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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12-03-2009, 09:48 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master 
1994 30' Excella
alexandria
, Kentucky
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,321
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Hate to see another company go under but probably priced themselves out of the market....... 
__________________
Steve, Christy, Anna and Phoebe (Border Collie)
1994 Classic 30'11" Excella - rear twin
2009 Dodge 2500, 6 Speed Auto, CTD, Quad Cab, Short Bed
Hensley Arrow hitch with adjustable stinger
WBCCI # 3072
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12-03-2009, 10:28 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1971 27' Overlander
Central
, Ohio
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,365
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Just talked to Airstream - they said they aren't aware of that. The guy I spoke to said he just drove by there at lunch - normal amount of cars in the parking lot....?
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12-03-2009, 10:50 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,803
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I'm sure if this is true, Andy from Inland RV will know about it and post some information about the subject when the time is correct.
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Paul Waddell
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12-03-2009, 11:01 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
Elkhart
, Indiana
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 633
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Sorry to hear about GKN. I hope it is just a "seasonal shut down" and they are back in a couple of weeks.
I live down the street from Dexter axle in Elkhart and they have been on a hiring spree lately.
While driving around this area there is a lot more "activity" at the RV factories that are still here than there has been for the past year or so. Things starting to look better here.
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Mike
Have a great day!
TAC # IN 1 Air#27922
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12-03-2009, 12:49 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
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GKN has a plant in Italy and China so they may just be moving production to China like every one else.
If you look at the GKN web site they still have the Henschen trademark there by clicking on it takes you to an industrial axle page.
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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12-03-2009, 01:18 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1967 28' Ambassador
1963 19' Globetrotter
1970 29' Ambassador
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1,180
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ganglin
Just talked to Airstream - they said they aren't aware of that. The guy I spoke to said he just drove by there at lunch - normal amount of cars in the parking lot....?
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You must have spoken to the wrong guy... the Airstream Service manager posted this news at 4:35 am this morning on the club forum.
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12-03-2009, 01:40 PM
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#9
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_
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, .
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcanavera
...GKN/Henschen closing plant in Jackson Center and will discontinue manufacture of rubber torsion axle.
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nice scoop.
the question (imm) the last 4 years has been WHEN this would happen, not IF.
and since dexter (or it's subsidiaries) supplies the axles, frames, and running gear for a/s...
except for the skin/ribs, windows, appliances and interior bits...
a/s=dexter.
__________
of course IF the hens' plant is to be TOTALLY mothballed,
this COULD be the opportunity for A/S to move INTO that space with a....
almost ne thing...
cheers
2air'
__________________
all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.
we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
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12-03-2009, 04:25 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1967 26' Overlander
Winston Salem
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 524
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I've just replaced my axles with GKN's from Andy.
Bummer....
__________________
Greg 
Winston Salem, NC
WBCCI 5218,
Corresponding Secretary Piedmont NC Unit 161,
1967 Overlander International.
1979 Avion 30ft rear bath
TV's 88 Chevy Suburban 454, 3:42, TH400
95 Cadillac FW Brougham, LT1,3:42, 7k tow pk.
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12-03-2009, 04:33 PM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member 
1962 28' Ambassador
1962 30' Sovereign
Currently Looking...
Webster Groves
, Missouri
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 309
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I guess Dexters are going to have a price increase ...
Bob
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12-03-2009, 04:55 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1971 27' Overlander
Central
, Ohio
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,365
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Quote:
Originally Posted by byamcaravanner
You must have spoken to the wrong guy... the Airstream Service manager posted this news at 4:35 am this morning on the club forum. |
Well - actually spoke to two folks up there - one in service and one of the folks out front that I know. I hope it's wrong but your source certainly would seem to be more in the know.
Great - just when I was thinking of ordering new axles after the first of the year. Mine are still decent but new ones were finally on the drawing board...
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12-03-2009, 06:58 PM
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#13
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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My earlier post may have been a bit premature in the timeframe. The current scuttlebutt is telling me the closing hasn't happened yet, and may be Spring '10 before it occurs. Maybe somebody in a white hat will ride in and buy the plant, keeping it open. Maybe.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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12-04-2009, 12:34 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1967 26' Overlander
Winston Salem
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 524
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Hi Folks,
Found more info:
http://forum.wbcci.org/conversations...-henschen.html
"GKN will still be processing orders through January 2010. The plans are to have Plant closed and moved to Iowa by May 2010. The question as to what Dexter can do to help is to early to answer.  "
__________________
Schu's News
__________________
Greg
Winston Salem, NC
WBCCI 5218,
Corresponding Secretary Piedmont NC Unit 161,
1967 Overlander International.
1979 Avion 30ft rear bath
TV's 88 Chevy Suburban 454, 3:42, TH400
95 Cadillac FW Brougham, LT1,3:42, 7k tow pk.
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12-04-2009, 01:28 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2011 25' FB Flying Cloud
Anywhere &
, Everywhere
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,090
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Iowa? Did we sell that to China?
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12-04-2009, 01:51 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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I think that's the anglicized spelling. It's really I'oh'wha, PRC.
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12-04-2009, 02:04 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
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If Bob Cat, Deere, or Catipillar, their bigger customers, has a plant in Iowa it might make sense. If not I can't see an English Company bothering to move the plant any place but China.
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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12-07-2009, 07:36 PM
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#18
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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GKN/Henschen to discontinue making rubber torsion axle
Greg Gerber posted on December 07, 2009 12:14
JACKSON CENTER, Ohio -- Staff members at GKN/Henschen in Jackson Center, Ohio, confirmed to RV Daily Report that the company will close its facility and discontinue the manufacture of rubber torsion axle. No further information is available at this time, but an announcement is expected later today from the company's headquarters in Great Britain.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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12-07-2009, 09:39 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
1967 26' Overlander
Winston Salem
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 524
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GKN is cutting jobs all over the globe, started the first of 2009.
I believe 2800 job cuts out of 42,000 jobs worldwide.
GKN cuts further 550 jobs and closes factories - Times Online
__________________
Greg
Winston Salem, NC
WBCCI 5218,
Corresponding Secretary Piedmont NC Unit 161,
1967 Overlander International.
1979 Avion 30ft rear bath
TV's 88 Chevy Suburban 454, 3:42, TH400
95 Cadillac FW Brougham, LT1,3:42, 7k tow pk.
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12-07-2009, 10:35 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1963 22' Safari
2020 27' Globetrotter
State of
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,512
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I guess between this and Carrier dropping the low profile units, quality, common parts we're used to calling and getting in stock are going away. Hopefully someone picks up the area of the market with a direct bolt in unit that meets existing specs. Maybe GKN will sell their knowledge base/equipment to another builder?!?
__________________
Scott & Megan
VAC LIBRARIAN WBCCI 8671
1963 Safari from the 1963-64 Around the World Caravan
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