factory leaves town

Analysis:

This story tells viewers the basic fact that Yamaha is closing down 2 regional factories and moving them to Asia, but provides no information about why the company is moving. The only voice heard in this story is that of an employee, but the way that the story is framed puts the focus on what this woman is doing to learn new skills or find another job. In contrast there is no real information on Yamaha such as, whether or not Yamaha has received subsidies from the City of Kentwood in recent years. According to Yamaha’s corporate site, profits are up for the first quarter of 2007. There is one statement at the end of the story that appears to be from a press release by Yamaha, but no specifics are given for the decision to close the factories.

Story:

WOOD TV 8 news reader – From your cash to your jobs, jobs that are now going over seas, another blow for west Michigan’s workforce. Two Yamaha facilities will be shutting down for good in Kentwood, 24hour News 8s, Rachael Ruiz is at the studio with that story.

Reporter – Why Yamaha will close two local facilities, in its musical products division affecting 190 workers. The buildings are expected to close in April and Yamaha says the work done there will move to Asia. Workers say they got word at a 9:00am meeting here at the building on East Paris Ave where musical instruments are made, a similar notification happening at Yamahas warehouse on Breton. But Yamaha not just closing shop in West Michigan, also at a plant in Thomaston, Georgia, 280 people soon without jobs in both states.

Employee: I’m at Davenport, University. I’m going there for Medical Coding.

Reporter – Christina Sowa, Wyoming, also works at Yamaha. She started at the musical products division 7 years ago, but had gone back to school hoping to jumpstart a different career. The news of the closing she says, leaving many in tears. Christina says some of her co-workers have worked nowhere else but Yamaha. Like others she wonders if she could even get a job that paid as well and whether she’ll have the skills it takes.

Employee: …And everything now revolves around computers and technology and if you don’t have any knowledge of that, you know, where do you go and um, who’s going to hire you.

Reporter – Yamaha says they will provide workers with a separation package.