Plant General Manager Chuck Riney said that Hersey Meters, a Division of Mueller Group, Inc., announced Tuesday the transfer of two product lines — GEM and Star Valves End Devices — from the Cleveland facility. Tyco Flow Control retained ownership of these products when the Mueller Group was sold in August 1999.

The transfer of these two product lines will take place during the second quarter of this year and is expected to be completed by the end of June 2000.

Riney said in a prepared announcement, “The transfer necessitates a reduction in hourly and salaried work force; the details of the reduction are being finalized at this time to coordinate a smooth transition. Hersey Meters will be working with the affected employees during the transition period.”

The transfer of the two product lines was unexpected, Riney said.

The company employs about 165 people, according to the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce report on major employers in Rowan County.

The company makes sprinkler systems, water meters, fire hydrants and everything that is part of a water delivery system except the pipes, under the Hersey Meters trade name.