John Paulson, a hedge fund billionaire and prominent donor to Donald Trump, is planning to close a manufacturing plant in Eastlake, Ohio, and move its work to China, despite previously advocating for domestic manufacturing. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from workers at the plant, who describe it as a betrayal.
Conn Selmer, the largest US manufacturer of brass and orchestra instruments and owned by Paulson, told the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2359 that it intends to offshore most work from the Ohio plant by June 2026, eliminating 150 jobs. Workers were informed of the closure during contract negotiations last month. “We came in with a full proposal, fully prepared to bargain, and they started off with a presentation of telling us how bad we were doing,” said Robert Hines, president of the local union and an employee at the plant.
Union members say the offshoring plan contradicts Paulson’s public stance on protecting American jobs. In a September 2024 CNBC interview, Paulson stated: “We can’t have American producers closing American factories and offshoring. We need to protect American jobs and protect American manufacturing.” Hines called the move “a slap in our face,” noting that Paulson had painted himself as an advocate for domestic manufacturing.
Workers allege that Conn Selmer opened a facility in China last year and gradually shifted work there, despite assurances that the Ohio plant would not be affected. They also report quality issues with Chinese brass. The company confirmed that if the tentative decision is finalised, it will transfer some production offshore to “improve our competitiveness and better meet today’s market demands.” It added that it remains “deeply committed to US manufacturing.”
The union held a rally in Eastlake in early February and released a video featuring workers expressing anger and betrayal. “It really pisses me off,” one worker said. “It leaves a hole in your heart,” added another. Hines hopes Trump will intervene, saying “this decision can still be reversed.” The White House did not respond to requests for comment.
