Re: Utica Engine Plant Being Demolished

Posted by Kevin On 2012/4/14 23:52:10

Usually what happens -- and I believe this was the case with Utica -- is that if a buyer cannot be found for the product (someone who would take all the tooling and machinery), then a surplus auction is held and the machinery is dispersed. Anything left over gets sold for scrap value.

After Packard exited the property, Utica Bend group of Curtis Wright took over and there were some jet engines built there. Test cells for the jets were added to the plant. But C-W didn't stay long, as the PPG and the plant were for sale by 1962, which is when I believe Ford took it over. They used it to make various interior trims like door panels and instrument panel pads. At some point, Ford even used the PPG Lodge and Repair buildings to make and store older parts for service, but I think they were no longer actively using those by the 1980's.

The linked article gives you an idea of how Ford's business at the site ebbed and flowed in recent years.