Johnson Controls announces layoffs
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In early February, a local manufacturing company announced they are laying off close to 100 people at their Tillsonburg plant.
“We did announce a shift elimination on February 7, 2013,” said Mary Kay Dodero, communications manager for Johnson Controls Automotive Seating in Tillsonburg. “The timing is not yet finalized but it could happen at the end of this month or in early March.”
Approximately 300 people are employed full-time at Johnson Controls in Tillsonburg, and Dodero confirmed that over 90 employees working the third shift, also referred to as the overnight shift, were given layoff notices earlier this month and told of the pending layoffs. Details of whether or not employees received any severance package could not be verified.
“Just third shift was eliminated, there are two other shifts - the remaining two shifts continue as usual,” she added noting the possible reason behind the cutbacks.
“It didn’t have to do with cost reduction. We supply foam for automotive seating for automakers,” said Dodero. “When the automakers production is lower, then ours is lower.
“We continually analyze and adjust our business to address current production volumes.”
Although layoffs at the local manufacturing plant have been confirmed, Dodero said that opportunities to increase production again in the not to distant future, remain a possibility.
“The remaining two shifts will continue as usual and we continue to pursue replacement business for the plant,” Dodero concluded.
Johnson Controls has been operating in Tillsonburg since 1969.