MOUNT PLEASANT — Putzmeister America employees have suffered another blow, in the form of layoffs, from the virtually nonexistent construction industry.

The German company on May 29 laid off 29 people, or 23 percent of its work force, at its North American headquarters and manufacturing plant here. The company, at 1733 90th St., has 161 employees after the layoff, Human Resources Director Kathi Haugh said Tuesday.

She said the positions were eliminated about equally between production and administrative employees.

By company policy, their benefits will continue for 90 days; but at that point, if they have not been called back, their employment would end.

Putzmeister makes stationary and truck-mounted concrete pumps and truck-mounted belt conveyors. They are used to pour concrete, primarily for housing construction.

“(The layoff) is really a function of the sales,” Haugh said. “When you don’t have sales, you don’t have work. We’re so aligned with housing construction.”

For years, Putzmeister had shown very strong employment growth here, increasing both its work force and facilities with several additions.

But that trend began to reverse last year. In 2008 the company laid off about 80 production workers and eliminated about 20 office positions, according to company President and Chief Executive Officer David Adams.

He said the company started 2008 with about 380 employees. It is now at about 42 percent of that level.

Asked about the chances of call-backs for the latest employees let go, Haugh replied, “That’s the big unknown.”

BY MICHAEL BURKE
mburke@journaltimes.com

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

iam thinking 161-37=124 people left

noticed that last year they where not publishing putz post.

glad we had this discusion on blue pumps, thinking about a used one cuz i taint gots no money for the shiny ones.

Sad indeed,now we mention partners.When these firms have lay offs I trust you will post.This has a huge impact on peoples lives,more so in smaller communities.It was a matter of time but the bottom is still a ways off.

The good news is I just got busy,yippi.

Hey,I enjoyed the comments.It brought back some of the farm memories,no appoligy needed here.

As Todd said this affects us all, well the ones that own or operate putzmeisters, means our service isnt gonna be what it used to plus I know alot of those guys and you cant help but have compassion for them , do I care if Dave Adams loses his job hell no hes got money to hold him over but the rest of these guys are just like us hard working blue collar workers anyone that finds this fun or funny deserves an asswhoopin and becareful who you laugh at the game aint over till its over, and nobody knows whos gonna end up on the losin end ,nobodys job is secure