From Best's Mouth

The industry is rife with rumors of Best by Broan's problems.
This is what we have been told by sources:
1)  The motor factory was boxed up and trucked from Fabriano during the Christmas break, to Best's Poland factory were many of the rest of the blower parts were already manufactured.  This was a cost saving measure.
2)  The motor factory workers were laid off, Italian style.  Meaning because of Italian law, they are still receiving their salary.........as are the Poles who replace them.  They are attempting to work this out with the Italian authorities.
3)  The Poland factory is ramping up on blowers, but yes there are hiccups that can be expected when hundreds of molds and new parts are shifted anywhere.
4)  High end, low volume hood production remains in Fabriano.
5)  Low end, high volume hood production remains in Poland.
6)  Production continues, and shipments continue.....including to the US.
7)  There had been some rumor that Best had been taken over by an Italian company.  That was denied as being "new" and "funny", but also not true.
8)  Yes Best could be having a better go of it, but then there's a nasty recession, and in that environment, Best is doing fine.....much like the rest of the major hood makers.

Still no word on the rumors about Nortek.
Nor word on the rumor that Broan is allowing Best and Zephyr to tear each other apart competitively in the market.