Oakley to shutter Dayton sunglass plant

Sunglass maker Oakley Inc. has announced it will close its Dayton plant at the end of March.

The high-end sunglass maker offered to relocate its Dayton employees to its headquarters in Foothill Ranch, Calif., according to an email from a company spokeswoman.

For those who choose not to move, Oakley will "provide a robust transition plan that includes outside career assistance," spokeswoman Cheri Quigley wrote.

The company says the closure is the result a new method of manufacturing its X Metal eyewear.

Ronni Hannaman, executive director of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce, said the closure affects about 75 employees. Quigley did not confirm that number.

"This is unfortunate that we're going to be losing (Oakley)," Hannaman said, adding that it was a "high-end" operation with good wages.

At least one employee, who declined to be identified because he wasn't authorized to speak publicly, said he will be following the company south.

He said he's been with the company for more than two decades and moved to Northern Nevada with his wife when the Dayton plant opened in 1996. The man said that with the local market the way it is - new unemployment figures have the Carson City area at 12.2 percent - it makes more sense to relocate.

"I just know with the job market around here, making as much as I do, it would be hard to find that again," he said.

He said he does know "quite a few" coworkers who aren't relocating, particularly those with family nearby and those whose spouses are the primary breadwinners.