Requiem for the 100w bulb

[SolidSnake84]

Originally Posted by Redskins8588

No the factory cannot switch over, it would cost too much money to bring in the equipment and technology for the CFL bulbs...

It was looked at at least for General Electric in Winchester. They ultimatley decided it was not cost efficient to retro-fit the plant to produce CFL's.

Also, the company had been wanting to put jobs in Mexico, like every other "american" company.

Our community was outraged. Alot of folks worked at the plant, my great grandmother, grandfather, and father all worked there. My uncle did too. If the plant would have stayed, i for sure would have worked there.

My dad was one of their senior employees there. He and a few other folks were some of the very first people hired when the plant opened in 1975. He was also interviewed in the paper in September 2010 when it closed down.

[SolidSnake84]

Originally Posted by SirClintonPortis

The "celebrators" are probably in China, although I doubt they are really celebrating. While I'm more ok with offshoring, I am really not fond expanding CFL production since they contribute to mercury pollution. Since Chinese-made products are made with crappy quality control, that means more "duds", which means more mercury being tossed into landfills(most people are too lazy to do proper disposal).

And the Chinese workers themselves are at risk for mercury poisoning. It's a job that not many would covet.

It's interesting you posted this because there are actually now a few senators calling for a ban of CFL's because of the landfill problems. The bulbs have no real safe way to dispose of them. There is a handful of chemicals used in making them that do not biodegrade, unlike the old incandescent lamp. Besides CFL's are dim and they just aren't the same as the old light bulb. I think they will return eventually

[SirClintonPortis]

Originally Posted by firstdown

That's what I don't get. Didn't the company making them have to buy the same equipment? Sounds like a company unwilling to chang with the times and that comes from a person who hates those new bulbs.

I would guess that...
...the labor part of the equation was why. They need to hire guys to take out and dispose of the old equipment, install the new ones, remodel the insides. Why bother when cheaper and less feisty labor is elsewhere.

...Since CFL production is a hazmat hazard, there also might have been extra expenses to ensure worker safety here. They would be able to skimp on those things in poorly regulated countries.

...And of course, the wages and benefits the workers in China get would be far less than what an American worker would be satisfied with.

...Lastly, I'm not sure if they actually do this, but they might buy the equipment in a foreign currency.