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By JERRY LYNOTT jlynott@leader.net
Friday, March 14, 2003 Page: 1B
JENKINS TWP. – Television glass maker Techneglas laid off 14 people
Wednesday as the company continues to suffer from a decreased demand for its
products, a corporate spokesman said.
The salaried positions were on the managerial, administrative and technical
staffs, said Todd McCollough, spokesman for Techneglas in Ohio.
“It’s the same reason” as before, McCollough said, referring to prior
layoffs of production workers at the manufacturing plant.
Citing the weak national economy and increasing competition from producers
in China and Malaysia, Techneglas twice laid off workers since the beginning
of the year. In January, 60 jobs were cut. Approximately 160 more were let go
in February.
The salaried staff was kept on in anticipation of production increasing and
a call-back of laid-off workers. But production has not picked up, McCollough
acknowledged. “You have to downsize to your market.”
McCollough said Thursday he knew of no additional planned layoffs and
expressed regret for the job cuts.
Including the most recent numbers, more than 300 employees have been laid
off at the plant in the past year. Workers are represented by the Glass
Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers Local 243.
The plant has been shifting production to provide glass for larger-size
television sets, 32 inches and bigger.
Techneglas, with a work force of about 1,100, remains one of the largest
employers in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Jerry Lynott, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7237.