The Stoughton product made in Evill were DOMESTIC shipping containers used by railroads such as Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. These were for domestic (USA) use only.

The main issue why production stopped was lack of orders by the railroads. The economy at the time of closure was tanking, and shipping was on the decline. Excess shipping capacity only made the situation worse. Now that shipping is starting to recover, the need for replacement units is starting again.

Having a Union workforce (or not) or a new Govenor in office has NOTHING to do with this business decision.

Well, it's not really a union discussion, but I think that one of the main reasons Stoughton Trailers can bring on 500+ more jobs is because they don't have unions dictating their labor costs. And when a union tells me that I MUST pay them money, and I can't opt out of their "protection?, well, they appear to be more like the Mafia then a benevolent provider. Belman, no one EVER gave me money that I did not out and out EARN. I EARN my insurance, I EARN my money, and I know that if I goof off and lose my clients I am in the crap heap.
Janesvillean, same along the lines of Belman. WHy would you need to cry Huzzah to the Union and beg for their protection if you work for your money? And why give it to the union?

How did this turn into a UNION discussion? We should all see this as a hint of things to come "hopefully". Why does there have to be soo Damn much negativity people? This will be a very good thing thing for some 300 people that may not have worked for years! Even if its only a $10/hr job because they dont have a union. LOL

Grandy--show me any objective, empirical study that shows that ANY of the 'emergency' legislation recently enacted increases jobs/business climate in this state. This was nothing more than legislating corporate welfare at the expense of individuals. And, for good measure, let's remember those evil state/public employees, too. I'm sure they had a hand in every horrible thing that adversely affected the State's economy, too.

Just because you have a union gives you rights? Obviously you have never heard of DILHR. Growing up with a union father, I have now seen how the union treats its own retired workers, by cutting their benefits and screwing them out of what they worked and negotiate for just to have the current union reps coward down. Did I also mention that the only people that think a union is the greatest thing since sliced bread is the person representing the people.

People who have money are better than us. That is why they have more money. Organizing a union to negotiate a fair price for our labor is rude and ungrateful. We should instead stand outside the opera when they alight from their carriages and shout "Huzzah!" to our generous benefactors, and if they chance to toss a shilling our way, we can experience the inner warmth of knowing that such grand and caring spirits grace our civilization.

evansvillehousewife your hate for Union is sad. Not mention in the article. I do not think you have a clue what a Union is. So listen up. It is about having a say in the workplace and having rights. So you must not think that people should have a voice or treated fair at work. Most of the things you have are because someone fought for them. I don't think you understand that. No company ever gave things just because they love the workers.

I think? this is good news?!

This is nothing but great news.jcd391, who cares if Walker claims credit- give citizens some credit. People are smart enough to understand the Gov has no power to magically bring a company into the black. That has to be done through the law of supply and demand.
Note, though, that these are made in America products, are well-known for their superior construction, and demand has brought business around. Building is being re-opened for business, people are estatic, yet not a union in sight.
I'm just sayin'.

Keep your eye on this spot. This will be 900 jobs for which Gov. Walker will claim credit, when in fact expansion was strictly a business decision based on market conditions. But let's not let the facts get in the way of the hype.

This story is a bit confusing. The headline indicates the company will be re-opening. The story says the company might be re-opening. The previous quote from Gillespie should say when she said it.

Maybe she was laid-off and hired back?

ljs64~ That's a very good point, why is the Gazette talking to and quoting a former VP? Interesting at the least, you would think that with such a story as important as this could be for the workforce in this area that has been hit so hard by unemployment that the Gazette staff would at the very least try and interview someone with a current position of importance with the company. Why is that, only one can wonder......

"At its lowest point in the recession, Stoughton Trailers employed 100 manufacturing workers, former Vice President of Human Resources Patrice Gillespie previously told the Gazette. That number could reach 1,000 by the end of 2011, she said."
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STOP Quoting Gillespie....She has NOT worked for Stoughton Trailers for months!!!!