Dozens Idled Due To 'Hole' In The Production Cycle

Zodiac Aerospace has idled dozens of workers at its Bellingham, WA location due to what is described as a "hole in the production cycle."

The layoffs were announced January 9 and 10, according to a report appearing in the Bellingham Herald. The company would not disclose the exact number of layoffs, but General Manager Derek Neumann said between 50 and 100 workers were given notices over the two days.

The company employs over 500 people manufacturing aircraft interiors. Nuemann said the message sent to the workforce is that "we are currently going through some lean times" and that management sees the move as a "short-term hiccup and that our long-term outlook is strong."

Neumann said that the slowdown was not unexpected, and that the company tried to fill the gap with short-term projects that did not materialize.

Zodiac purchased the facility in September, 2011. Neumann said that the layoffs were not a sign that the company would be pulling out of the city, and that the company's long-term plans were to stay in Bellingham. Zodiac "bought us with the intention of growing this facility, not closing it," he told the paper.

Zodiac is based in France and employs some 20,000 worldwide.

FMI: www.zodiacaerospace.com