Goodrich announces fourth quarter profits after laying off employees

Amidst layoffs in Jamestown, Goodrich Corp. announced a profitable fourth quarter.

Goodrich, which is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., laid off 35 employees at its Jamestown location Jan. 30. Less than a week later, the company announced a net income of more than $131 million in fourth quarter 2008, an increase of 28.6 percent from fourth quarter 2007.

But company executives have reduced projections for 2009 despite expressing confidence in Goodrich’s financial strength, according to a company statement.

“What I can tell you is that the layoffs are in accordance to the business demands which are fluid,” said Laurie Tardif, media relations manager.

The business and its employment are sized based on need, she said.

“The layoffs are in response to the business demands, it’s really that simple,” she said.

Of the Jamestown layoffs, about 20 of the employees lived in the area while about 15 worked for the Jamestown branch but lived in other parts of the country.

Tardif said other branches have had to lay off employees, but she would not speculate on the possibility of future layoffs.

“We are always looking very closely at our employment numbers,” she said.

Tags: lay off, news, goodrich, jamestown