According to a news release dated Friday Sept. 14 in the Milwaukee Business Journal HD will close 5 plants in November of this year. This action by HD is the result of its plans to scale back production. The Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer will close its final assembly plants in York, Pa., and Kansas City, as well as the company’s powertrain operations in Wauwatosa and Menomonee Falls, and its Tomahawk Operations in Tomahawk for the week of Nov. 26. Harley said the workers will continue to receive health care coverage.

Harley said “some sites will take additional steps to achieve their production reductions,” but the company did not state what the actions would be. Harley announced Sept. 7 that it had lowered its sales projections for the third quarter and for the second half of 2007 and now says unit sales will be lower than last year.

Harley-Davidson now projects third-quarter shipments of 86,000 to 88,000 motorcycles, down from a previous forecast of 91,000 to 95,000 units. As a result, the firm now expects a modest decline in revenue for 2007, and earnings per share are expected to be down 4 to 6 percent, in the range of $3.69 to $3.77 a share.

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