Edelbrock to shutter Los Angeles County HQ after 83 years | Hagerty Media

[Hagerty]

Edelbrock, manufacturer of some of the most popular performance aftermarket intake manifolds and cylinder heads for our favorite V-8 engines, is packing up its Torrance, California, headquarters over the next two months. The facility, Edelbrock's home since 1999, has 270 employees, most of whom will be laid off.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/edelbrock-to-shutter-los-angeles-county-hq-after-83-years/

[Loggitt]

Look for prices to rise, folks!!! 😞

[427sc]

I'll bet, so long as their market share doesn't decrease for whatever the reason, that their product prices are likely to DROP because of this consolidation of resources with Comp...

[Steve56775]

The mass exodus from communism is in full force. The real issue is will the employees who relocate continue to vote for socialism? That’s the most destructive force in this country and the world today. Wake up people!

[OldCarMan]

You would think reporting this would include talking to someone from Edelbrock and asking them WHY! Conjecture about the business climate doesn't cut it!

[427sc]

Well,
1). Business sense says that Kalifornia sucks because it's too expensive to maintain a presence there.
2). They are merging with Comp, who is smarter in that they already work in states which are much less expensive to operate a business out of, AND they are consolidating their operations to be more efficient in the lower cost environment of the midwest.

[TimK]

I can't say I'm surprised. California is bleeding industries and people for several years because of the way the state is run and those leaving are the tax base for the cities, counties and the state itself. Soon only the parasites will be left. Those running California are the most self destructive creatures on earth. What a shame.

[Lightning1]

LMG... California needs another big money source and they don't want to insult Streisand or Hanks by tapping into their bux. With 49 other states it can be done. I suggest Az.

[tahend]

Companies are bailing on California like crazy.

[Lightning1]

When they bail on Cal., that puts the tax burden on other business. They then leave and it puts a tax burden on other business. And the trend continues. Cal used to be the center of aerospace industry, now they are all gone. It used to be the center of auto specialty manufacturing, that is leaving. When the entertainment industry leaves then there will be just government and ..... welfare recipients.

[Trashboat]

So lame. Grew up right next to the Torrance Edelbrock. When we were very young we’d ride our bicycles down to the “factories”. Edelbrock was so cool, dreaming of the day my friends and I would be driving, the reception person at Edelbrock would load us up with stickers and catalogs....sorry lame story but California is becoming an apocalyptic disaster (and politics aside), it’s leaders are sinking it and we are first hand watching the most corrupt government on the planet destroy a once beautiful place. 😞 Bad news all around and sad.

[jwalker]

One thing that Mississippi has over a lot of other states is that it has no inventory TAX. A company can make a lot of product for future sales and not pay a tax for that inventory. I did a warehouse that moved from Texas to Hernando, MS. They imported Chinese motors for the oil fields in Texas. They did it because of no inventory tax..

[topside]

Frankly, I'm more surprised it took them this long to leave, given the way CA is mis-managed; I remember the 1st smaller exodus in the late '70s. This has been discussed on various gearhead forums. Apparently the land in Torrance is still owned by the Edelbrock family and is worth many millions, so there could be a cash-out by them as well. There were a lot of negative comments from former employees on one of the job-review sites, indicating that since the holding co. took over things have deteriorated at Eddy & Comp; racer comments regarding their products indicate a decline in quality as well. Sad to see, but perhaps new blood could turn things around, as has been the news with Indy Cylinder Head.

[RetroRock]

Worked for Stewart Warner-Alemite back in the 70's & 80's until they were bought out by a British holding company and broken up. Production moved out of Chicago and was farmed out to Mexico and other areas.
It was sad seeing the old manufacturing building torn down but the days of a unionized labor force operating manual arbor presses had come to an end...
We had tenured women on the line with their right arm literally thicker than their left from pressing the bezels onto gauges all day long for decades! Although could have been a bad case of Casino arm...Don't know what they did on the weekends...

[acooper529]

These guys came along and innovated when low performance was the standard in nearly all cars that were made. Cars, and especially trucks, were a lot like farm equipment.... they got the job done. As much as I love these iconic brands, they are no longer relevant (in large numbers anyway).
Like it or not, technology has totally smoked these iconic Companies and will leave them (literally) on the side of the road forever. But I still love the decals from Edelbrock, Hooker headers and dozens more. Let's see who can come up with the best list of Performance Icon Stickers!

[Ed_Turbo]

Here comes all the anti-California losers getting their two cents in about how bad my state is. 1 in 4 people want to live here, that drives everything up (no pun intended).

We are the car capital of the world and proud Democrats- don't you forget that.

[Trashboat]

California is disgusting. Born and raised in Los Angeles and I can’t wait to get my family out of here. You must be a politician or not get out much? “California.... the electric car capital of the word, in which none will be manufactured or produce jobs!”
Keep it up buddy with your narcissism and voting that negatively affects other people...After I leave I hope “they” take your cars away.

[427sc]

Ed, I kinda feel sorry for you if you really believe that. 1 in 4 wants to live there? LoL...
The fact that you call the rest of us losers for our opinion is also very telling....
You have drank so much of the Kool-Aide for so long, you really don't have any idea what it's like to live in a FREE state (that being NOT-Kalifornia).
The business climate in Kali is terrible.
The cost of living is through the roof.
The illegal immigration is out of control (you guys INVITE IT!)
Your state government is both morally and economically bankrupt.
The poverty/people living on the streets in the major cities is shocking.
The loss of freedom you live with is unfathomable to a God fearing, Gun Toting, Hot Rodding kinda guy like me (and many others on this site I'm sure). I personally cannot see how anyone could really stand it out there for anything besides a vacation, and believe me, I HAVE spent extensive time in Kalifornia. The traffic ALONE drove me nutz!
I couldn't wait to return home after a very short time.
Will the last person to leave Kalifornia please leave the lights so the illegals can read their mail-in ballots which are written in Spanish.

[Akujat28]

1 in 4 people want to live in CA., so you mean 75% DON"T want to live there! This is the logic you learned Ed in you liberal, democrat education system I assume. You're not the car capital of the world, proud democrats? you got a great f'd up state to show for it.

[Lightning1]

Ed, you got what you voted for. Try to keep the dems there and not migrate to other states. Why they come here and vote for the same dems that they complain about in Cal. is illogical.

[spoom]

was the 1 in 4 a typo, or sarcasm? Thx.

[Ed_Turbo]

Just the facts, why do you think California is so populated? All I hear from my response is a bunch of whiny republican losers who still are upset about the election results. Get a life people.

[Akujat28]

The people here who DON"T blame the State of California have no idea what it takes to run a business, probably some are Ivy-League liberal college professors. If you think they (CA.) are not at fault here, then you will be happy to pay $10,000 for a manifold or carburetor so that California can take the majority in taxes, Unions take their cut in benefits that go to Political Action Committees THEY decide on in the employee's behalf, and the hourly-paid worker still makes LESS than their counterpart in Mississippi or Tennessee. Businesses don't grow under a system like CA. has, they wither and die just like thousands of businesses have in NY, ILL., and thru-out the former manufacturing-belt of this country. Better make sure you Chinese-made manifold or carburetor fits that GTO.

[GrumpyOne]

Both Memphis and California are are deadweights to any corporate entity and these moves are simply the right thing to do. If I were a corporate executive, I would not have thought twice in doing so.

Good Luck to the associationship!

[dennisws]

At least they didn't move it to China.

[VetteKid56]

I imagine like most companies that have or are planning on leaving California it's for a better corporate and labor climate and while they still have the two foundries still in California they probably will be sold off if possible and new ones take their place closer to their new facilities in Mississippi just for the logistics and cheaper energy costs outside the state of California.

[Joel]

Alabama is only a hour or two away...believe me, they know to pour metal over there.

[spoom]

Or they may take advantage of the existing foundries being grandfathered in, and start doing casting for other companies that can't start a foundry because they don't have any carbon credits? I worked 20 years for glass manufacturer Anchor Hocking. They wanted to build better and more efficient plants, but couldn't, so they just kept the old ones until the whole container division eventually folded. But that's another story. 

[mwmyers91]

Domino's fall. The foundries will follow. Its not if, its just when.

[AlpinaC2]

Well done Olive Branch, Mississippi! New home for aftermarket auto parts. Nothing but growth ahead!

[1fastcat]

I would have thought , with California regulations , the foundries would have been the first to go . Who can blame them , who the heck would want to live in California ? You have to be filthy rich or dirt poor and living on relief to live there .Not me !

[1933ford]

Fact, regardless of what you want to think, the exodus continues and will continue because it is California run by a different sort of people! Not going to change until it is forced to.

[Spuds]

Lets be honest.Im a life long Californian and I would leave here in a heartbeat if I could.Our state is an insane asylum right now with wackadoodles and self appointed tyrants running the show.

[Trashboat]

Couldn’t agree more @Spuds. Relocation isn’t always easy and my family and I are in the same boat. I always think what a shame it is to be pushed out of my home state.. by slimy politicians and lazy, unemployed, selfish nieghbors that continue to vote for complete government control, in exchange for handouts.

[Beestly]

California?
C’ya!
Wouldn’t wanna be’ya!

Good news for all of us.

[Mike_E_V]

What took so long? I would have liked to see them relocate in Texas from CA as we did years ago but any move out of CA if you are in manufacturing makes financial sense. Best wishes to Edelbrock & Comp Cams in their new location. I have used both in many machines over the decades and look forward to continued use of their fine products. Try to find a reasonably priced chrome shop in CA.

[KenO]

I'm just a little old man ... I operated several Toyota Dealership Parts and Service Departments - not a brag, but to let y'all know where I'm coming from. I have their parts on multiple vehicles ...
The news of the closure shocked me at first - but realizing the probability of a relocation out of that state that's like a breakfast cereal (fruits, nuts and flakes) soothes the concern.
I understand the 'business' of it, as several other automotive businesses have moved to the Southeast U.S.
I am delighted the possibility of continued availability of Edelbrock, a leader in quality parts.

[11Carrera]

California vs Mississippi. Wonder if there is an organized labor component to this move.

[Dave67]

Interesting how Companies are leaving CA and NY. Looks like a political change from high tax blue to low tax red. Don’t forget Tesla moving to TX
I am sure the remaining foundries will not be green enough for CA and will escape from the sidewalkpoop and homeless infested CA in short order.

[Stroker69]

This is very sad.
One can't possibly comment on a big name company like Edelbrock pulling the plug on most of their CA operation and terminating many jobs without mentioning the toxic environment created by the complete incompetence of the CA state and local governments. The ridiculous taxes and regulations being crammed down the throats of all who do business in the once great example of American entrepreneurship: California. Companies and high functioning residents are fleeing in droves to escape to more tax friendly environments. Many more major corporations are planning to move elsewhere taking with them many of their high value executive and labor workforce. The political machine obviously doesn't get and I doubt they ever will.
I remember well going through the plant and office tour at Edelbrock in 2012 during which Vic Edelbrock Jr. appeared throughout the tour with enthusiasm explaining various aspects of the production and quality control. I gained a real admiration for his sense of loyalty to his employees and customers. He explained that in the financial down turn in the 80s people were not spending money on performance products and they barely survived. He said many of their competitors later went out of business having resorted to turning to other countries; Mexico, China etc. in an attempt to stay afloat. He said they would not ship those jobs overseas or over the border. They kept their foundries in central CA producing castings and kept their doors open in Torrence. He said even during the bleakest time we didn't fire people because they are the backbone of the company. Even when they had a small amount of orders to keep going they tried their best to not fire anyone. At times they cut workers hours to the minimum but everyone got a check, at least some pay. He proudly said their products are made in the USA. I certainly admired his business ethics.
I hope today these jobs will not end up in China and elsewhere. I'd bet the days are numbered for the foundries they still operate in CA.

[JohnnyD]

As a retired automotive marketing and product manager I have watched and experienced the "merger/acquisition trend" for decades and I say that at least the consolidated operations remain in USA, and the remaining jobs too.

[Zephyr]

Speaking as a native Californian, two points: the first is that California is not anti-business, it's anti manufacturing - in other words, post-industrial. Califonia will welcome your business with open arms as long as everyone employed there is a BMW driving, white wine sipping ivy league grad pencil-pushing hipster who makes at least $150,000 a year, has never gotten their hands dirty, and wants to live in downtown San Francisco. And has never broken a sweat except at the gym. Second, unions are not the problem - all the unions in California were broken up decades ago and replaced by cheap labor. The only unions left in California are the teachers and public employees, who I admit do have a disproportionate influence on California politics.

[SAF1952]

I live in Torrance. Sad to see another company leave, but I understand. Nissan National Headquarters left here for Tennessee. Toyota National Headquarters left here for Texas. Honda National Headquarters is still here, but for how much longer? California is not a business friendly state. Duh!

[MikeSS]

Growing up in LA in late 50's early 60's it was a short ride over to Edlebrock when they had their factory in LA. We would get our aluminum heads for our 53 flathead Ford engine redone, and see people like Vic jr. Nowadays, the big conglomerates are taking away that type of customer relations! you could even go to Iskenderian's factory and Ed would personally take you through the shop, which he did with my brother and I. Last time I tried to get someone at Edlebrock to talk to me about heads for my 427 Big Block Chevy, it was "we don't deal with the general public, go to one of the places we sell our equipment through"! And we wonder why there isn't a rush for the younger people to get into racing.

[Tony2]

Hey guys, regulations are a moot point in the business of making parts for antique cars. This is not mass produced stuff. Eddlebrock and Craine have to merge in order to have enough business to remain compettivie in a shrinking marketplace. They have to reduce their overhead and take advantage of synergies in manufacturing. Last I checked Mississippi is a pretty cheap place to do business. The young guys comming up aren't very interested in our old gas burners which will soon be going the way of the dinosaur. I dont see my son buying a brass era car or even a 50's car. Eddlebrock should be looking at plastic injection molded intake manifolds for the cars our kids and grandkids will want to hot rod. A few years from now hotrodders will be looking for bigger and more powerfull battery packs, high efficincy souped up inverters and nitrogen cooling systems for their electric motors. These guys are selling parts i already bought and will probably last well past when I'm long gone. I don't need any more of this stuff all my cars run great now. These gys need some sort of repeat business.

[OldBryan]

Understanding that there was a perceived financial necessity, I hope the move doesn’t have the same effect on Edelbrock that moving out of Washington State had on Boeing.

Sad for all concerned, including those whose livelihoods will be negatively impacted by the loss of revenue generated by Edelbrock and its employees.

I wish all of them, and Torrance, and Memphis, and both companies the best of luck, and my sincere hope for success and prosperity.

[Harry50_88]

Wish I could post a picture here of my dad's 1950 Olds 88 with 500HP supercharged engine in front of Edelbrock in 1958. He and his buddies were on their way to the 10th Anniversary of Bonneville speed week. It was mecca for them - Edelbrock, Isky cams, Bonneville! They were all in their early 20s. The car went 148.51 mph. Still have the car.

[JPK455]

Rolling black outs, Fresh water issues, Burning up, High Taxes,exodus of working people from the state which in turn makes it hard to find workers that show up and put in a full day. That makes it very hard to run a manufacturing facility.

Even the entertainment people are leaving fast how many movies or tv series are shot in California, "Not many" even the bachelor is now shooting in Canada in Jasper alberta during the winter they are in for a rude awaking of -25 weather.

Sad part is the reality of gas fired engines are going the way of the dodo bird and in 25 years most of the performance based modifications will be electric or hydrogen related. Look at Harley Davidson there demographic is aging and did not retool for the future buyers which is directly related to here drop in sales Stock price is down to 33.00 from 73.33 fifteen years ago. 

All the best to Edelbrock, nothing better than looking at a brand new shinny piece of art that you put on a wonderful gas smelling thunder sounding combustion engine.

Their future will look a lot different in the next 80 years than the past 80

[Trublue]

I have been a union signatory employer for over 3 decades and without going into much detail here can tell you it's not what its cracked up to be for the employees and even much less so for the employers.
Unions are nothing more than a bunch of bureaucrats that rob the system and are bed with the leftwing. Weatherby was in South Gate, GONE, Sierra Bullets was in Santa Fe Springs, GONE.
The list will grow, on and on, until nothing worthwhile remains.
All the cool stuff is leaving CA.

[roadwarrior]

I left the North East, a beautiful area, and headed south. All these companies migrating as well. The problem that eventually occurs is with that migration comes a lot of liberal anti American kooks who bring their dangerous politics with them and continue to vote for the very problems they fled. Some slowly work their way on to Boards, commissions and town councils to infect the new area with failed ideas. Welcome corporations big and small and the people looking for a better quality of life... everyone else, stay where you are!

[MarkyC]

Does this move mean that Edelbrock will produce a better product?