GE Mattoon Lamp Plant to Close

GE Lighting has announced plans to close the Mattoon Lamp Plant.

In a statement, the company says in the last decade, the lighting industry has seen a major pivot away from traditional lighting. GE says consumer demand for traditional lighting is at an all-time low and that shift has been supported by the US government phasing out incandescent bulbs. As a result, the Mattoon Lamp Plant is operating at 60% below capacity.

When asked the date of the proposed closing, the company responded saying "The proposed closure is subject to an idea generation period, if requested by employees, to offer alternatives to the plan. If the decision is to proceed, operations will be phased out by the end of August 2017."