I’m sorry, but the rampant misinformation, ignorance, and flagrant absurdities that have been flying since Edelbrock informed the Employment Development Department of their plans to layoff 270 employees in their Torrance California headquarters facility makes me want to scream. Reporting to the EDD in instances like this is required by California Law, and even if it wasn’t, a responsible employer should. The layoffs come as no surprise, as Edelbrock’s owner, Industrial Opportunity Partners, purchased Comp Performance Group in early 2020 and announced the two performance powerhouses would be joining forces. Throughout the year there have been changes going on at both companies, with the streamlining of resources, operations, and departments to be as efficient as possible in designing, building, and selling high quality performance parts. The point is, Edelbrock isn’t going out of business!
Online publications who are spouting this crap should know better, as they get the press releases on the subject just like the rest of us. This then fuels social media posts by people bitching and moaning about California and blaming the fall of Edelbrock on their location in California. You do understand that Edlebrock is one of the oldest performance brands in the known universe, and has been very VERY successful for the past 80 plus years, all of which have had them manufacturing and selling parts from California. They also cast parts for lots of other performance brands in their California based foundries. Brands that some of you think get all their stuff from somewhere in the mid-west!
Several social media posts, and comments on stories written on other digital media platforms, have uninformed readers claiming that they no longer make anything anyone wants because nobody is building hot rods anymore. WHAT THE F*&K? Here is one of the good ones. “I mean there isn’t really any market for their biggest products anymore – the automotive industry has long changed away from those kinds of things. Sure there’s the people fixing up and hot-rodding older vehicles but even those aren’t nearly as common anymore due to rust and such things.”
Somehow we have become a country where stupid is okay. Someone should change that. I was nominated for the SEMA Board of Directors a couple years ago and when asked what I thought was the most important thing we could do for our industry, with regards to several topics, I said Education. We need to educate the public on what hot rodding, racing, and the automotive aftermarket really encompass so that they know that thinking old cars are cool doesn’t make them bad people. We need to educate enthusiasts on what SEMA really does for them, and what power we all have together, so that we can support the efforts to improve the industry. We need to educate the world on how we can all be good stewards for a clean world, even while owning and enjoying hot rods, so that the public doesn’t look at us as the problem. We need to educate people so that we can all work together to keep our freedoms, and preserve history.
Apparently the last few years have changed things enough that I also need to add that we need to educate people on how to open their eyes, pay attention, and just for one second shut their mouths if they don’t have something worth adding to the conversation. Of course Edelbrock and Comp are going to be reducing overlapping departments, using resources as wisely as possible, and trimming the fat, but that doesn’t mean that last rights should be performed. In fact, this move doesn’t even mean there are any issues at all. Are there challenges with owning a company like this in California? Sure, but Edelbrock has managed to build one of the finest foundry facilities in the country there and that is NOT the part that is leaving. Will it as some point? Maybe. But you can rest assured that if it does, it will only do so when a suitable replacement location, with employees who have the right skills and expertise can be found. I’ll remind you that the majority of the layoffs are positions that do not pose any significant challenge in California. If Edelbrock were located in any other area of the country, their relocation would not be a topic in this conversation. But because they are, it is the ONLY thing that must be causing it.
I’ve spent the last couple of days watching a few of my fellow journalists, some of whom have names and storied histories that command some serious respect, try to inform people that this is not a surprise and that Edelbrock is just evolving now that the company is part of a larger group. Despite having some clue as to the situation, they are being told they are wrong and don’t know what they are talking about.
Wake up people.
Edlebrock still has multiple facilities in California, and will likely continue with those operations for years to come. After all, they make some of the finest castings in the country, and relocating foundries isn’t very easy. They also have two North Carolina facilities, and another in Mississippi where Comp Cams has some operations. So don’t you think it makes sense to maybe combine some overlapping business and operations units? Hmmmm. Again, this would not be so dramatic were California not involved.
The truth is that Comp and Edelbrock are moving in together, at their location in Olive Branch, Mississippi, where the headquarters for Edelbrock, Comp Cams, FAST, TCI, and Russell will now be located. This is smart business. And considering that the Edelbrock Comp owners at Industrial Opportunity Partners are actively looking for more companies to add to the Edelbrock Comp group, I’d say business is doing just fine.
For those that want more information on Edelbrock, here is the info from their Company History page. If you want more information on the great products they offer, visit Edelbrock.com.
Founded in 1938, Torrance-based Edelbrock, LLC is recognized as one of the nation’s premier designers, manufacturers and distributors of performance replacement parts for the automotive aftermarket. Edelbrock produces their core products in the United States of America using state-of-the-art equipment in their world-class manufacturing facilities. Edelbrock, LLC now encompasses six locations including three in California, two in North Carolina and one in Mississippi.
In February 2020, Edelbrock along with its Russell Performance division joined forces with the Memphis, TN-based COMP Performance Group that includes COMP Cams, TCI Automotive, FAST Fuel Air Spark Technology, Racing Head Service (RHS), ZEX, Inglese Induction Systems, Powerhouse Products, COMP VThunder and COMP GoParts.
Thank you for putting in writing what I knew was the case all along. I also can share this on FB for all the stupid people that I know. Problem is they dont know!
It would also be helpful if people actually read the articles rather than just the headline.
Bingo,we have a winner!
Any business owner with any sense would leave California immediately.
And you know this how? Do you live in CA? LOL, you are part of the problem described in Chad’s article.
Evidently only California residents are allowed to comment on this article.
I have never lived in Kenya either but know better than to have a business there.
Hey Joe, do you live in CA or know anyone who lives there? Perhaps without realizing it you may be guilty of the same thing you are accusing another reader of Spouting off on something you have no personal knowledge of without doing your own research. Just saying.
Exactly…watches too much FOX news.
Spoken like a true Libtard.
I’m interested in your experience and thoughts on the subject, because I hear this a lot. Do you live in California Darrel? And do you run a business there? I’m not picking a fight, I’m being serious.
I don’t want to pick a fight either Chad but I would agree with Darrel. I have relatives who own businesses in the greater LA area and there are a bunch of problems in the state. Exorbitant taxes, strangling environmental regulations, a power grid and water supply that are crippled by the formerly mentioned regulations, a burgeoning homeless population, decriminalization and lack of enforcement of many crimes that cause business owners grief, such as public urination and defecation, vandalism, shoplifting and theft, drug use and the problems surrounding that activity to name a few. The exodus from the state of people who are fed up with the politics of the state and the seeming inability to get things changed has forced thousands to leave a state they had planned on calling home for the rest of their lives. All these issues ultimately end up being burdened by the taxpayer and many have had enough. I could go farther and start naming names but I’m not going to go there. All this being said, I love the state of California but I would avoid living there unless I absolutely had to.
i’ll jump in on this. if you want to blame somebody, try blaming the stupid uninformed so-called voter. doesn’t matter which side, they are just plain stupid. and it is not getting any better !!
Chad,
I work in California, albeit in aerospace industry, but closely associated with Valley Head Service; an engine machine shop. Yes, taxes and regulations make it difficult to conduct business here as time goes on.
The cost of living in California is the second highest only to Hawaii (they have to import most goods from the mainland). Aside from the taxes and regulations, 1/3 of the populations works for a government agency (fed, stat or local) and those are not cheap jobs. 1/3 of the population is on some form of government assistance: prison; welfare including the undocumented immigrant. So that leaves the remaining 1/3 to pay for it all. On top of that, anything a reseller buys from out of state (say from Summit in Nevada), it is taxable.
The news of Edelbrock leaving comes as no surprise. In fact, any company with more than 100 employees is wise to consider leaving. The state’s requirements for employee benefits are suffocating. I can go one, but it would require making a political statement which I know is taboo anymore.
I ran a company in CA for 20 years. Started off fine, but death of a thousand cuts. Tax increases, special taxes, property taxes, changes in expense allocations, local taxes, levies, site costs, etc. Residents are also crushed by cost of living and need to be paid more just to survive. In response, the big guys started paying a ton; small businesses can’t compete and employee turnover is a huge drain (thus the push for the $15 minimum wage by Amazon and the rest). We bailed out about 5 years ago, taking most of our key employees with us. And the amazing thing is we discovered what it’s like to thrive, not just survive. Poke a fork in CA, she’s done.
There are quite a few Ignorant, gullible, and just plain fear mongers out there in the world. Straighten out your f’ing brain. The world isn’t ending tomorrow. It might be flat for some of you but it will always be a sphere to me. Hot rods forever.
I do live in California. Born and raised. 75 years. Anyone who has paid attention knows that this state prides itself as the most “progressive” in the nation with respect to climate regulation, employee’s rights, government employees’ unions influence, etc. It makes sense to suspect that companies that operate foundries and sell products that assist in spewing carbons into California’s atmosphere are not looked upon favorably by the state’s governing bodies, media, academics, etc.. It is also correct to suspect that future laws, taxes and regulations in California will be directed towards making it increasingly more difficult for such companies to exist and operate, let alone thrive in this state. Over time, businesses in these industries will tend to look elsewhere to conduct their activities to avoid the costs and regulatory hassles. Businesses with a substantial economic investment will usually not pick up and change locale in an instant, however. It takes time for responsible management to evaluate options, make plans and execute a strategy that maximizes results. Basic economics.
I do live in California. Born and raised. 75 years. Anyone who has paid attention knows that this state prides itself as the most \”progressive\” in the nation with respect to climate regulation, employee\’s rights, government employees\’ unions influence, etc. It makes sense to suspect that companies that operate foundries and sell products that assist in spewing carbons into California\’s atmosphere are not looked upon favorably by the state\’s governing bodies, media, academics, etc.. It is also correct to suspect that future laws, taxes and regulations in California will be directed towards making it increasingly more difficult for such companies to exist and operate, let alone thrive in this state. Over time, businesses in these industries will tend to look elsewhere to conduct their activities to avoid the costs and regulatory hassles. Businesses with a substantial economic investment will usually not pick up and change locale in an instant, however. It takes time for responsible management to evaluate options, make plans and execute a strategy that maximizes results. Basic economics.
Is it true that foundry does a very large percentage of its volume for the military, Boeing, space industry etc ? And that actually the “hotrod” end of things is a very small percentage? That is what I heard–So I doubt that valuable USA foundry is going anywhere–I bet it stays put and keeps put and keeps on churning out the high quality parts the aero space industry and rest Need to be made here–That part of it will get around regs and keep on keeping on I bet
By running off the dirty Hotrod business they can maybe get folks off their back some— play like they are doing the right thing as far as Cali is concerned??
Way more to this than meets the eye
Foundry equals ‘dirty” and we know “dirty” things get made overseas–and will continue to–so we clean up here I for one like the better air and cleaner water since the” rivers on fire” of past decades You all should appreciate that things have cleaned up and that is for the better we have a lot more cleaning up and toes to step on if we all want to stay alive
I drove an alky / nitro dragster–I am as guilty as anyone so there…….
But busting Cali with non stop chatter about Comifornia is silly and ignores the fact that we must all start to make changes soon or it will be curtains
You lost them at “read”.
It’s things like this why businesses are closing up and/or leaving; https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/02/01/ralphs-food-4-less-to-close-several-long-beach-stores-over-hazard-pay-law/?fbclid=IwAR16qCu8_RyyijVFFl5TUu6ronvngLNI02waUNd2aABwjQWslNjNzJfYk8U
What do you expect from the 30 second sound bite society?
WOW, I must be one of the odd ones, I love California, live in the SF Bay Area, a moderate Politically, and love driving my Hot Rod in the beautiful weather and around the great scenery, with beautiful women everywhere. It’s another rough winter day here, 65f, light overcast and breeze. Y’all need to get over the Cali/bashing, I know the price I pay to live here, worth it to me. be safe be well
I wanted to add a few comments, I was commenting earlier today during my lunch break and ran out of time. I had read an article about Edelbrock at another site and it was easy to see they weren’t “closing down the company” per se, just that it was a restructure and they had to eliminate some positions and consolidate with other areas of the parent organization. Just the same.. its not a pleasant feeling for those who might lose their job or not be able to relocate if offered another position. Hopefully they can find enjoyable employment elsewhere. And, if Edelbrock wants to continue operating their other facilities in CA and can do so at a profit then more power to them, its a free country and they can choose to operate as they please.
I will add one more thing, I love hot rodding, racing, motorcycles, trucks and just anything to do with mechanical objects or their use in competition, so this statement comes from the heart of a died in the wool gearhead. Our nation is in a political and cultural cold war that is escalating and not likely to stop anytime soon. If you’ve been paying even a modicum of attention you will know that America is the birthplace and heartland of hot rodding. Look all around the world and you might see a few other countries like Australia, Brazil or Sweden where hot rodding and racing are taking place, but the cost to participate is outside the realm of most of us, and in many ways those nations are a reflection of what has taken place in the American automotive arena. Ask any of those people if they could live here and participate in the freedoms we enjoy (such as hot rodding) and many of them would move at the drop of a hat. As you glance around the world you will see that our sport is only possible, at the level we enjoy it, in a capitalist economy and a constitutional republic form of government. I say this to encourage all of you fellow gearheads, read, study the issues, turn off your tv, educate yourself, don’t live in an acho chamber by reading only those things that validate your preconceived opinions, listen to others who have different opinions, and promote our sport to a younger generation.
I’m sorry you have contempt for the general public and think they’re stupid
They could move to Michigan … Plenty of trained autoworkers would be happy to have a job again … Flint ….Saginaw…. Detroit ….
Excellent article. Thank you.
IOP sold the property for about what they paid to buy Edelbrock. Buildings at that local run between $300/$400 sq foot
Edelbrock is awesome, nowhere near dead. I’m sure they’ll continue to do well. The current business plans make sense. At the same time, relocating any part of a manufacturing business out of California, and Torrance specifically is an ongoing trend, for the reasons people have talked about already. Toyota’s headquarters and many others have packed it up and hit the trail. Texas is a popular destination. They have much to offer, both to businesses and individuals. If you happen to have any family or friends there already, even better. Right Chad?
https://www.fox26houston.com/news/moving-to-texas-why-teslas-elon-musk-oracle-and-hewlett-packard-enterprises-are-leaving-california
What will happen now that California, and GM said no more gas or diesel vehicles for sale after 2030? GM and Ford reportedly have frozen engine development. Meanwhile, Toyotas head coo is the only voice of reason on racing and hybrids. the only GM can build reliably is the power plant, the rest of their vehicles are a warranty nightmare.
I can’t understand the stupidity of some posts. You are smart enough to write a intelligent and well written post but too ignorant to understand what you have written. We need education everywhere, not just about car culture Chad.
I’ve been running my operation in SoCal since 1998. It’s all good. Native Californinan working with what I love. My employees seem to like it here too. We buy from both Comp and Edelbrock, so I am looking forward to the synergy!
Moving, not closing. It is news that California wasn’t in consideration for the R&D and management – but then again, how many of Edelbrock’s products can actually be sold in California (or tested, for that matter)? Can you imagine the logistics of testing not-for-California products in CA? CA has made it clear that unless it’s EV, it’s not welcome – so, outside of having to live in the humidity of Mississippi – I think it’s a great move. It makes perfect, business sense.
The problem is not California. Vic Jr passed away and his heirs wanted out. They sold to private equity……an industry that buys established business and sucks every penny out of them under the guise of “streamlining”, “trimming the fat”, “coordinating synergies”, “consolidation” and “efficiency”.
It’s hard to imagine the greatness that was Edelbrock will continue…….after-all, it’s the bottomeline, baby, not the passion.
Would you believe that ever since Cali. lost CONTROL, CHAOS took over. OK, back to the cone of silence. Carry on.
Hopefully Edelbrock/Comp won’t turn into the trainwreck that Holley has become since their big buying sprees. Tons of information was lost when Holley dumped all these brands into one website. It’s really sad when these companies go and “fix” what wasn’t broken in the first place. BTW, 20 years in the aftermarket here, wholesale and retail.
Holley used to be good. Holley fuel pumps and regulators are absolute crap now. have had them fail after one event
Is crane cams all done bought buy the same IOP as comp and others not trying to start something but i like crane and would like to know.
I have lived in Cal 64 years. Started in Orange County (Anaheim) till late 80’s. Now in Redding. We just sold our house and are heading out of state.
I will be be very blunt about some things here. Anaheim in the early 70’s was the epitome of the television show The Wonder Years. Anaheim today with it’s bars on windows, graffiti and general dirtiness has changed due to the influx of immigrants who instead of lifting themselves, drag down the community to t he standards from which they came and are used to. Want an example drive down Garden Grove Blvd.
I lived this. I witnessed this evolution. Does not matter what your political leanings are this happened right in front of our eyes.
This caused a lot of people to move to rural areas, but this evolution is relentless and it’s becoming harder to hide from this progression.
Redding has now turned into a toilet of crime and between the decline in quality of life and taxes it’s time to escape.
BTW I love people who call themselves “Progressive”. It’s where you self anointed intellectual fools are progressing to that will be the downfall of this country.
Right on the money Bob.
As a 50 yr veteran of manufacturing, both on the floor and in upper management of a fortune 200 co, the last 20 consulting for close to 300 of them, I’m guessing I’ve got a lot more experience in what happens when most “Investment Partners” show up than most of you including Chad. As much as I love and have purchased all these wonderful products, still buying them my entire life, when Investment groups show up they are there for just a few reasons, chief among them to milk all the cash out of the remaining utter in a dying industry. Only getting worse as the whole Petro Biz is under attack and even volunteering to contribute to their own demise. My Petro friends already figured it out. 10 yrs from now 55 million baby boomer hotrodders are going to be dead or in the Home and Globalist are going to rid the planet of these products, internal combustion hotrods and their real purpose for doing is to take the roads away from you and I because our rides don’t play well w/Bezos trucks running up and down the road on Autopilot by then. Partners will then close the doors having already left with the cash. Trust me, Vic Edelbrock they ain’t. I’ll be gone also but hope Chad lives long enough to remember I told him so
Well said Phil
Another soon effect of all the political nonsense going on today will be the crashing value of all the muscle cars and hot rods. I’ve been saying for a while now that after all of us baby boomers are gone (I’m on the tail end of thst generation) the value of these cars will drop precipitously and many of them will be used and abused the same way they were when they were new… if you’ll even be able to get fuel for thdm. Due to the circumstances I don’t think more votes for our former President would have helped, but I wish the more progressive and liberal hot rodders would pull their head our of their backside and wake up. Socialism HATES individualism and hot rodding is all about individualism.