Havco cuts 60 full-time workers

Havco Wood Products announced Friday that it will reduce the work force at its Cape Girardeau plant by 60 full-time and 11 temporary employees.

The move went into effect immediately.

In a news release, Havco president and chief executive officer Bruce Bader said the housing market was partly to blame for the decision.

"The work-force reduction being announced today is a result of the prolonged residential housing correction and overall macroeconomic conditions in the United States," Bader said. "The trucking industry has experienced a significant reduction in freight tonnage in recent months and, as a result, new orders for trailers have slowed. Accordingly, we are forced to reduce our work force."

After the reduction, the work force at the facility will stand at about 160 people. Additional job cuts are not expected, company officials said.

The local office was notified Wednesday that layoffs would occur. Those employees losing their jobs were told during a Friday afternoon meeting.

Employees will not be offered a severance package and could be recalled to work in the office.

The company produces laminated truck trailer flooring. Havco also operates a plant in Vonore, Tenn.

The layoffs are the second time in two years that the company has been forced to reduce its work force in Cape Girardeau.

In January 2007, 65 full-time and 12 temporary employees lost their jobs at the local plant. Bader cited a weak economy then as a reason for the layoffs.

After those layoffs took effect, Havco's Cape Girardeau facility had about 250 employees. However, some of the employees laid off were eventually rehired by the company.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137