Worthington Industries, a Columbus, Ohio-based steel processing company, announced Thursday that it will close two of its plants for preventative measures because of declining sales resulting from the struggling construction and automotive industries.
The Renton, Washington metal framing plant, which has 22 full-time employees, will close December, 31 2008, while the Louisville, Kentucky steel processing plant, employing 50 full-time and another 60 seasonal and temporary employees, is expected to close its doors by May 31, 2009. There will be another 150 total layoffs amongst Worthington Industries' 38 Dietrich Metal Framing locations.
John P. McConnell, chairman and CEO of the company, commented about the layoffs in a company press release, "It is never pleasant to displace employees, but it is critical that we control our costs and appropriately manage our balance sheet during these difficult economic conditions."