Hundreds of jobs cut between Hatteras and Albemarle
NEW BERN and EDENTON, N.C. – Brunswick Corp. has initiated yet another round of layoffs, this time cutting 325 employees from its workforce yesterday between its Hatteras plant in New Bern and its Albemarle plant in Edenton, according to a statement issued by the company. The reduction involved both hourly and salaried personnel.
Hatteras and Albemarle will reduce production for the 2009 model year going forward and resize their organization to be more competitive and profitable in current market conditions, the company stated.
“As with most other U.S. boat makers, these brands have been doing their best to confront a weak domestic marine industry,” explained Keri Theophilus, president of The Hatteras Collection. “We have done so by growing sales outside of the U.S., better controlling costs and taking a number of other measures. Unfortunately, these efforts have not totally mitigated the reduced sales activity being experienced in the U.S. marine marketplace, nor addressed our long-term need to fashion a smaller and more agile organization that can prosper and effectively compete not only in current market conditions, but in the market upswing when it occurs.”
Theophilus said the actions are necessary for “effective pipeline management to safeguard the financial health of both our brands and our dealer network” and to go forward “with a leaner, more efficient organization.”
The Hatteras Collection will offer outplacement assistance for affected employees aimed at helping them transition to another position, the company added. In addition, New Bern officials have already organized a job fair on Monday, according to newspaper reports.
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