GREENVILLE, Mich. (WZZM) - He says he knew the company was struggling, but laid off United Solar Ovonic employee Stephen Perry says the company's bankruptcy announcement is still a surprise.
"It's a big shock," says Perry. "It's a big blow, I'm sure, for a lot of people."
Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., the Auburn Hills company that owns United Solar, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday. Executives say they have huge debt, a mountain of retirement obligations and too few customers buying solar energy panels.
"The company has been in a slow and steady downturn for a period of time," confirms United Solar Ovonic Grandville Plant Manager Tim Kelley.
When Electrolux moved their refrigerator factory to Mexico several years ago hopes were high United Solar would be the city's new economic anchor.
It has not worked out that way.
"It's very disappointing," says former State Representative Mike Huckleberry.
Huckleberry owns a restaurant in Greenville. He says he's heard rumors about problems at United Solar, but no one knew it was this bad.
"We knew there had been some trouble, but didn't know how far it would go," he says. "We had high hopes for United Solar, there is no sense in pretending we didn't."
United Solar executives say they hope to sell the company to a buyer who will resume production of solar panels at the Greenville facility.
"We are a valuable company and we feel confident we will be bought," says plant manager Kelley.
"We can only hope they restructure and come back stronger," says Huckleberry.
Company executives say they want to complete the sale of United Solar in 90 days. During that period they will have a staff of about 35 workers on duty in Greenville. That's down from 424 when the facility was at peak employment.
"We need some living wage jobs in this town," says Perry. "I've got a 5 year old little boy I really don't want to uproot and take somewhere else."
