GEC Factory Closure

[kootenay joe]

I do not see this as politics. The question of when will GEC re-open involves what the posts are discussing.
A thread that meanders around is often more interesting and sometimes educational.
kj

[RLP]

In other words, Nobody knows. That seems pretty easy. Be Safe!

[Log Cabin Knives]

I do not see this as politics. The question of when will GEC re-open involves what the posts are discussing.
A thread that meanders around is often more interesting and sometimes educational.
kj

I wholeheartedly agree KJ. Seems self evident to me.

[Mumbleypeg]

Call the Governor of Pennsylvania. He’s the one who shut it down. Ask him.

Ken

[TwoFlowersLuggage]

I hope GEC & Case have business continuity insurance to at least help replace the lost business. Because the company I work for is a medical device manufacturer, we are considered an "essential business" and our factory in Texas is still operating. We are doing a bunch of stuff to try to keep the factory workers safe. We have rearranged the production line to separate the work stations, we are taking temperatures of each employee with a non-contact thermometer before they come in the building, we have hired a cleaning crew to wipe down doors, handrails, tables and other shared surfaces throughout the day and to wipe down the tools and workstations between shifts, and we don't allow groups of employees to sit together at breaks or anywhere else. We set-up a couple of large canopy tents in the parking lot with some tables and chairs so the employees could spread out for lunch. We are also asking employees to wear masks while they are on the production floor. Unfortunately, we can't find any N95 masks so they being shown how to make a mask from cloth.

The good news is that we have not had to let any employees go, and we are actually still hiring.

[kootenay joe]

Very interesting post TFL. Tells us some of what the businesses that remain open have to do. No doubt it slows work down as it is not the usual routine. Working with a mask on takes some getting used to.
I worked as an anesthesiologist and masks are worn by everyone entering into an operating room. I did not like wearing a mask so during long cases would sit behind the drapes, mask off. Did not have any effect on infection rates.
I see masks for general public as 'over hyped'. Just keep your face 6 feet or more from other peoples' faces. If this might not be possible, then wear a mask.
A mask does not stop viruses from getting into your airways.
kj

[TwoFlowersLuggage]

Yes, we implemented the "everyone wear a mask on the production room floor" rule primarily to provide assurance to the employees, more so than because we thought it would actually be effective. Dallas county recently put out a 12-step set of requirements for manufacturers and distributors. https://www.dallascounty.org/Assets/upl ... evised.pdf

1. All employees must take their temperature at their residence before going to work at
a manufacturing or distribution center. If a worker has a temperature above 99.6
degrees Fahrenheit, then they are prohibited from going to work and must remain at
their residence;

2. To the greatest extent possible and as equipment becomes available, employers must
implement a system whereby supervisors check the temperature of all employees
before the employee begins work. If an employee has a temperature above 99.6
degrees Fahrenheit, then they are not permitted to work and must be sent home
immediately;

3. Gatherings during meals or breaks are prohibited;

4. Employees must keep a six (6) foot distance between people at all times, unless the
work being performed requires multiple individuals for the safety of the employees;

5. To the extent practicable, employers shall adjust shift timing to allow for greater
physical distance between employees;

6. Employers must allow non-essential personnel to work from home when possible;

7. Employers must provide soap and water, or hand sanitizer if no soap or water is
available, in the workplace, including all restrooms. Employers shall ensure that
adequate supplies of soap and hand sanitizer are maintained;

8. Employees must wash their hands for at least twenty (20) seconds before beginning
work, before any food preparation, before and after the use of shared items, after any
meal or restroom breaks, and immediately prior to departing the work site.

9. Employers shall discourage employees from sharing work tools when possible.

10.Rest breaks of at least fifteen (15) minutes for every four (4) hours worked must be
provided so employees may follow hygiene guidelines;

11.There shall be no adverse action taken against an employee who has, due to possible
exposure to coronavirus, (1) been quarantined or advised to self-quarantine; (2) have
not reported to work because the worker has a temperature of 99.6 degrees or higher;
and (3) requested to use paid sick leave under the employer’s policy; and

12.Employers must designate both a member of management as the COVID-19 Safety
Monitor and a senior hourly employee (that is not a member of management), or a
non-management employee if an hourly employee is not available, as the COVID-19
Vice Safety Monitor at each site to have the authority to work together to enforce these
rules. Employers in unionized workplaces should consult with the employee’s
representatives on this designation.

[kootenay joe]

Is it up to each County to come up with these rules ? Or do they originate with the State government ?
Likely GEC will get back operating after these Covid precautions are suspended. I realize GEC is not in Texas but i'm sure all States have got similar 'rules'.
kj

[Onearmbladejunkie]

Happy Easter Everybody

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[TwoFlowersLuggage]

Is it up to each County to come up with these rules ? Or do they originate with the State government ?
Likely GEC will get back operating after these Covid precautions are suspended. I realize GEC is not in Texas but i'm sure all States have got similar 'rules'.
kj

There are city, county, and state "orders" being released. I'm sure there is some sort of law for what takes precedence over what, but I don't know how that works. I think it will be very, very interesting when they start to open things back up. What if the president says to open, but the governor says no? What of the governor says to open but the county says no? What if the county says to open but the mayor says no? What if a county judge rules and it is then overruled by a state court or a federal court? I suspect getting out of this mess will be just as wild as getting into it.

[Mumbleypeg]

In general if you can keep the political activists out of it, which seems nigh impossible nowadays, the local authorities should have the best purview of what’s needed in their jurisdiction.

Not sure how it’s happening where you are but in Texas we have a governor and his task force providing daily briefings and status updates, and trying to direct resources wherever needed, but not issuing statewide rulings or edicts. (And his daily press conferences while certainly of regional interest are not covered wall-to-wall by the national media either ). Texas is a big area, with major metropolitan populations but also some very large but sparsely populated counties. Consequently there are some counties (Dallas county for example) where the county authorities are issuing “stay at home, businesses closed, etc“ mandates. And other counties where there may be only one small city, where that city’s mayor has decided what’s best for that city but the county has not, or perhaps has a different guideline that applies to the rest of that county.

It amazes me that people can’t understand such sensible reasoning. No one would expect all countries in Europe to be the same, but somehow they think all of the United States, which covers a huge geographical area and diverse demographics, should somehow be homogeneous. What is sensible and reasonable for New York City, or the populous Northeastern states for example does not necessarily apply to Brewster county in west Texas. Or even Los Angeles. And visa versa.

But that makes too much sense for those who would politicize every aspect of this unprecedented situation - “never let a crisis go to waste”.

Ken

[kootenay joe]

The problem for the more sparsely populated areas that are Covid free is how to keep it this way. About 30% of people who come into contact with this virus will carry it but not get sick at all. They shed virus as much as those who are sick. And this virus is very contangious, i.e. easy to 'catch', or it is good at catching humans which is a big reason for it's 'success'.
So how to deter travelers/tourists from high Covid areas from coming to Covid free areas ?
kj

[Rookie]

I live in the same county as GEC, only 20 miles away. Our business shut-down order has been extended from May 1 to now May 8, and subject to further review.

One thing I find strange is that in the same county, Channellock is considered an "essential business" and is allowed to remain open through all of this. They make tools. GEC makes "tools" but are not allowed to stay open. I find the laws a bit subjective.

[Rotten]

I got to looking at the Pennsylvania governors website about the closures and saw that the stay at home order fro Crawford County where Titusville is is scheduled to expire on March 31.

Anyone here living up there or know anybody at GEC that knows when they will possibly be able to reopen?

[Rookie]

Crawford County, PA including Titusville (except for bars/restaurants) is reopening on May 8, barring an unforseen outbreak.

[kootenay joe]

So GEC might be able to re-open in about 11 days ?
It might not be straight forward. There might be rules about distance from other workers & wearing protective gear like masks & gloves. If so this might affect the ability to do a very precise job.
I look forward to when GEC can resume operating just as they were pre closure because they had knife making 'dialed in' every knife.
kj

[Rookie]

Yep. Same goes also for Peters Heat Treat. I have a relative that works there, and they do knife blades for a few places other than just GEC. It will be good to get the gears grinding again, even if social distancing inside the workplace is still in effect.

[Onearmbladejunkie]

Governor Tom Wolf in an over reaching nut. There aint no telling when or if GEC and CaseXX will be opened again. PA is being sued , hopefully the Supreme Court can open things up.

[kennedy knives]

Just got an Email GEC is back at work 5/8/20::tu::

[Log Cabin Knives]

Just got an Email GEC is back at work 5/8/20::tu::

Great news! Thanks for sharing! Can you tell how happy I am?
Rich

[Onearmbladejunkie]

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[kootenay joe]

Will the frenzy to scoop up every new GEC knife resume ? Or after a 2 month hiatus of no new GEC knives will many of us not rejoin the 'frenzy' ?
Could go either way.
Has the last 2 months had an effect on your desire for more GEC knives ?
kj

[Rookie]

Will the frenzy to scoop up every new GEC knife resume ? Or after a 2 month hiatus of no new GEC knives will many of us not rejoin the 'frenzy' ?
Could go either way.
Has the last 2 months had an effect on your desire for more GEC knives ?
kj

Not me personally. But reading on FB and other knife forums, I think it's going to be even more crazy than before. The knives will be selling as fast as they are listed. The Northwoods last drop sold out in 4 minutes, I expect the next one will be even faster.

For me with GEC knives, I buy what I like when I see it. I don't get on reserve lists or research day and night to know when they will be listed for sale.

Now Tuna Valley knives on the other hand, I do have my finger on the pulse for those.

[jerryd6818]

For me with GEC knives, I buy what I like when I see it. I don't get on reserve lists or research day and night to know when they will be listed for sale.

Same, same for me. Now Case......... I'm really curious when they will resume production. I have a Mini-T on order at Shepherd Hill that was supposed to be in stock there in March. Now here it is May. There's no point in searching the web for it because no one else has it either. It may be an SFO.

Turn 'em loose. Let 'em make knives. I don't wait well.

[1967redrider]

Found this on Twitter. If anyone is into short, used up blades, I got the knife for you!