Wow I just signed into this forum and read all this good stuff, Im currently a Crown employee and I'll admit that some days I feel like this is ****, The paycuts, politics, and money being put into a new line. But other days it's good times and happy to just be employed with the economy being were it's at. For now it's cruise control and I'll see where this territory goes. But as for the discussion I don't think the paycuts funded the C-5 line and part of me wants to believe that they were nessecary to actually save peoples jobs however I'm not totally convinced. Ohh and the money is back to the employees half came back a few months ago and the rest is being returned by Thanksgiving 2010

V Boost,
HUH?????

Like johnr.j points out there could be a number of reason's that JD bought Toyota, but what would be interesting is what they buy in the future.

Would need more infomation before I could provide a SWAG on that?.
Like what type of trucks & lift capacities did JD buy and specs. Possibly since Crown has a limited lien of IC & electric sitdowns vs Toyota this could be a factor.
How were they acquired - cash, lease (FMV) or $1.00 buyout & term. If ICE 4-6k cushions were purchased - I hear that the Crown unit has a hefty price.
Where was the purchase decision made? Locally or in Iowa?

I'm certain JD like all other companies (and many folks too) are struggling to keep their checkbook balanced and price/monthly payment/maintenace agreement costs/etc would be a consideration. JD recently closed a SE regional Parts Distribution center near where I live - I real good sign they can't spend like drunken sailors

I got one for all of you, why the heck did John Deere decide to buy Toyota forklifts instead of Crown?

the cost to develop a forklift can very but the extra people needed like Jonnr.j pointed out can out way this. Crown have seen companies like Linde, junghienrich,Toyota enter it's core market of warehouse equipment. It had two choices one to sit a do nothing just let the competitors come in and take away business.Or two develop new products away for its core business and enter new markets,Like any other manufacture who is looking for long term servile Crown choice was to develop. The cost of this will probably pay for it's self over several years but the benefits to Crown and Crown employees will be much greater.

Just a simple observation on the C5 funding pay cuts. I understand Crowned opened a new facility to produce the C5 & also employed additional folks to run, build them & ship them & receive parts, probably added design engineers (w/ICE backgrounds) to develop them/test them etc etc, etc. And will continue to hire more as they expand the ICE line.
I don't work for Crown, but any one knows it takes more to build a forklift than eat steel wool & simply pass one.

I believe that R & D costs can be spread over several years (accounting wise) unless Obama took that away too!

Oh Please, both of these projects were in going in R&D for at least 10 years. Way before your paycuts. If you want to think that your pay cuts and take aways are for the RM6000 and C5 delelopment, then you are kidding yourself. The paycuts happened back in the late 80's and early 90's at Crown, the same way as these last one's. The Dicke/Dragon will still eat it's share while the line workers can work harder and go hungry. Greed and Ego, are the nastiest to the bottom of the food chain.

Oh wow to all the off topic posts. Like this is a kiddie u tobe video comment list. :)
Anyway. Of course they used the pay cut to finance the C5 and the new super secret reach truck. From my standpoint at the bottom of the ladder (where all the **** lands) they made no secret what the pay cuts were for. To maintain growth and keep jobs in a down economy. That means R&D.

Don't get me wrong, I was there for 18 years and loved my time at Crown as a valued employee. Dicke III came on board and things changed for the worse. You know what they say, the 3rd generation did not have to put in the Blood, Sweat, and Tears. Greed and Ego are a nasty thing. "Jimmy Three Sticks" has not earned it like Jim I & Jim II. A Sad Story for sure.

Bob m, sorry you had such a crappy experience with the Crown boys. I applied to the SoCal location about 7 years ago, glad I did not get the job. It takes good people to man an organisation and if Crown chooses to go the corporate route, I can only agree with you on the Clark statement.

Crown has lost their way and many of the employees that they valued 20 years ago. Arrogance will slowly kill their former reputation. Another Clark, just 25 years later.

Glad to see that more of rank and file has learned that Crown doesn't care about or value it's workforce. You are now free to get the word out to others. They have lost their way, and you have realized that they are on the same road that Clark took 25 years ago. Arrogance breeds just more arrogance.

The pay cuts continue to keep the Dicke's lifestyle intact. Private Jets, Extravagent lifestyles, with an appetite for the Good Life. The "Dragon" still needs to Eat, so you cut off the tail (Pay cut #1), cutoff the legs, one at a time (No more 401k contributions, Pay cut #2, Increase your cost for benifits) But you can't cutoff the Head, as the Dragon (the Dicke's) need to keep the Extravagent lifestyle. New Bremen is the Kingdom and the Dicke's rule the Kingdom. Now the market recovers and you get one take away back. Bet you don't see the other Pay cut returned until 2011 (maybe). Then you won't see a raise for ?????

Left Crown 10 years ago. Guess I got out in the knick of time. Yes, I am making way more coin, with less stress. Mother Crown has brainwashed everyone. If you have the skills and know how, get out now, there are plenty of options for your skills, talent, and expertise, versus staying in a stressful, low paying company that does not value your talents. If you want to worship New Bremen, just watch "The Truman Show" movie starring Jim Carrey, they are both a mythic fantasy world.