Goodrich lays off 35 workers

The Jamestown location of Goodrich Corp. laid off 35 employees Friday, some with more than 20 years of experience, the company announced Monday.

Goodrich, which designs, manufactures and supplies airplane parts, has about 600 employees in Jamestown and about 90 offices and 24,000 employees worldwide, said Laura Neel, marketing communication specialist for Goodrich Interiors.

None of the other locations have made layoffs, she said.

The layoffs, which stem from reduced consumer demand, included both entry-level and management employees but not production workers, Neel said. Some of the employees had a few years of experience and at least one of them had about 28 years of experience, she said.

“If our customers are cutting back on their demands from their suppliers such as us, then there’s less work,” she said.

The employees who lost their jobs would be eligible for rehire if consumer demand increased, Neel said, or could be hired at other Goodrich locations.

Neel said Goodrich is helping the employees it laid off with outplacement and severance packages.

Connie Ova, chief executive officer of the James-town/Stutsman Development Corp., said even one layoff in Jamestown is reason for concern, but she’s confident Goodrich, a Fortune 500 company, will continue to “hold its own.”

“It sends shock through the community when you hear that Goodrich is laying off,” she said.

Most local businesses, like Goodrich, seek ways to cut costs, Ova said. Most haven’t had to lay off employees, she said, but some haven’t filled the positions left open after an employee leaves the company or retires. Others are cutting hours or finding other ways to conduct business more efficiently, she said.

Company-wide, Goodrich is trying to reduce waste, watch travel budgets and work more efficiently to reduce costs, Neel said, and does not anticipate more layoffs in the near future.

“I’m not aware of anything like that at this time,” she said.

But even though no more layoffs are expected, 35 former employees were jobless Monday.

Job Service presented information at Goodrich about unemployment benefits, community resources or job search help at businesses who have or are considering layoffs, said Jaci Gately, customer service manager.

In addition to helping people find work, Job Service also helps people obtain training and polish interview skills, cover letters and resumes, she said.

Job Service, which is located at 1307 12th Ave. N.E., is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Gately said and walk-ins are welcome.

Job seekers can also visit its Web site at www.jobsnd.com.

Sun reporter Katie Ryan can be reached at 701-952-8454 or by e-mail at kryman@jamestownsun.com

Tags: goodrich, layoffs, economy, jobs, news