BROWNTOWN - Grede foundry near Browntown laid off 22 people last week because of a slowdown in business, and the company is not speculating on a re-hiring timeframe, according to a company spokesperson.
Grede Browntown hired 40 people last year, creating a 180-person workforce, and it was looking to hire another 40 people in 2012, to be trained for specialized positions.
"Market conditions in 2012 supported filling approximately 22 positions, which were eliminated last week due to the business downturn," according to Richard H. Pacini, a spokesperson for Citation, in an email Tuesday.
"Grede originally expected to hire up to 40 people to support two shifts of production, but did not have the business to support a full second shift," he added.
Grede Browntown is one of 18 facilities in the Grede Holdings LLC family. In 2010, the former Citation Corporation combined with Grede Foundries Inc. and Blackhawk Foundry to form Grede Holdings LLC. Citation is a privately held corporation headquartered in Birmingham, Ala.
Using sand molds, the foundry specializes in larger gray and ductile iron castings for heavy duty, industrial and agricultural markets, making parts for diesel and natural gas engines, stationary power supplies, off-road vehicles, municipal waterworks, heavy industries and large mining trucks. Castings average 350 pounds each, with some weighing up to 2,000 pounds.
Rehiring or expanding employees "will be dictated by market conditions," Pacini said.
Even if the positions reopen, Pacini said Grede Browntown "has historically been challenged to hire and retain experienced/trained maintenance mechanics with specializations in hydraulics, electrical systems, and welding/fabrication."
Grede Browntown hired 40 people last year, creating a 180-person workforce, and it was looking to hire another 40 people in 2012, to be trained for specialized positions.
"Market conditions in 2012 supported filling approximately 22 positions, which were eliminated last week due to the business downturn," according to Richard H. Pacini, a spokesperson for Citation, in an email Tuesday.
"Grede originally expected to hire up to 40 people to support two shifts of production, but did not have the business to support a full second shift," he added.
Grede Browntown is one of 18 facilities in the Grede Holdings LLC family. In 2010, the former Citation Corporation combined with Grede Foundries Inc. and Blackhawk Foundry to form Grede Holdings LLC. Citation is a privately held corporation headquartered in Birmingham, Ala.
Using sand molds, the foundry specializes in larger gray and ductile iron castings for heavy duty, industrial and agricultural markets, making parts for diesel and natural gas engines, stationary power supplies, off-road vehicles, municipal waterworks, heavy industries and large mining trucks. Castings average 350 pounds each, with some weighing up to 2,000 pounds.
Rehiring or expanding employees "will be dictated by market conditions," Pacini said.
Even if the positions reopen, Pacini said Grede Browntown "has historically been challenged to hire and retain experienced/trained maintenance mechanics with specializations in hydraulics, electrical systems, and welding/fabrication."