Today the Kohler Co. will be trimming an additional 455 jobs off the approximately 6,300 person workforce. This is the largest layoff so far this year as the company deals with sinking sales from a dismal housing market. The layoff includes 357 production employees and 98 administrative positions, spokesman Todd Weber said in a press release. The employees were notified today.
Combining the current cuts with previous layoffs done in October and November 2008, pink slips have now been given to a total of 650 workers. Company officials have attributed a decline in new home sales as the reason behind the dismissals.
Kohler Co., one of the largest non-government employers in the state of Wisconsin, manufactures kitchen and bath products, home interiors, engines and power generation systems, as well as providing hospitality services.
This layoff information comes on the heels of the news of a significant increase in unemployment rates in Sheboygan County. The county saw a 1.4 percent increase to 9.3 percent in February, while the City of Sheboygan rate spiked 2 percent to 12.2 percent.
I hope the recovery from this crisis will continue.
I hope the recovery from this crisis will continue.