By Janie Southard
jsouthard@dailystandard.com Fifty St. Marys Goodyear employees will be laid off at the close of the workday Friday.
"Our business is down right now, and it's no secret that we are subject to market fluctuations," human resources Manager Rose Williams told The Daily Standard this morning, adding she could not speculate if or when more layoffs may be scheduled.
The employees to be laid off Friday all have less than two years seniority.
Just three months ago Goodyear executives in Akron announced the St. Marys plant is up for sale. Williams said there has been no more activity in that situation.
A Goodyear employee, who asked not to be identified, said looming layoffs and the possible sale of the business keeps employees pretty jumpy. Although it is Goodyear's policy not to give exact employee numbers, a chart prepared within the past two years by the Southwestern Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce identifies Goodyear as the county's second largest industrial employer with more than 700 workers, who reside in various local towns as well as surrounding counties.
Up for sale is Goodyear's engineered products division, which includes St. Marys. That division manufactures engineered rubber products, such as hoses, conveyor belts, power transmission products, molded products and air springs. Officials have said the sale will allow the company to focus on the growth of the core consumer and commercial tire businesses. |
