Gates to Bring World HQ to IUE-CWA Site

Elizabethtown, Ky.

The future is more secure for members of Local 766 after their company, Gates Corp., announced March 30 that they were situating the world headquarters for the Gates Performance Systems business unit in this small town an hour south of Louisville.

"This is a very positive announcement for this plant," said Region 7 Director Harry Bogan, who represented the Division at the festivities.

Also attending were representatives of Harley-Davidson, the principle customer for the polyurethane belts the 111 IUE-CWA members make.

"We all work with each other," said Chief Steward Houston Logsdon. "It's a positive place. It's a good group of people to work with and work for."

The state provided three-quarters of a million dollars in economic incentives to secure the Gates investment, but Gov. Ernie Fletcher credited the skills of the workforce with attracting quality industry to the area. He called the workers "loyal and dedicated."

Plant manger Joe Brothers also praised the workers. "This was able to happen today because of people who worked together, overcame problems together."

The plant opened in 1964.