By Rachel Beck, Lebanon Express writer | Posted: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 12:00 am
Twelve permanent and four temporary employees were laid off at Entek Manufacturing this month.
Vice President Kirk Hanawalt said the company's reduction in force was necessary for a couple of reasons.
One factor was the completion of a large project the company had been working on.
"As that winds up, and as business really slows down with the economy slowing down, we found out that we were really overstaffed," Hanawalt said.
Slowdowns in the automobile and home building industries have also impacted the company.
"Those are two of the big drivers for the extruder business in the U.S., and those drivers aren't doing well," Hanawalt said.
The economic climate also means customers are less likely to be investing in expensive equipment, like the extruders Entek produces.
The employees were notified of the layoffs on Nov. 21 and their last paid day was Dec. 12. Hanawalt said he sat down with the employees to give them the news, "telling them what the economic situation was and why this needed to be done."
Entek Manufacturing currently has 69 employees. The company produces turnkey manufacturing plants, complete extrusion systems, twin screw extruders and controls, and replacement parts.
Entek Manufacturing separated from Entek International in 2007.
The company doesn't anticipate any further reductions, Hanawalt said. "We're planning to keep our head count where it is now and get through this thing."