CertainTeed layoffs leave workers uncertain

Business

Discussion

June 20, 2009

Anonymous The Meridian Star Sat Jun 20, 2009, 10:47 PM CDT

from staff and wire reports

Building supply manufacturer CertainTeed Corp. has announced an indefinite shutdown of it's Meridian ceiling tile plant and the lay off of 90 workers.

Ricky Ballard, a utility operator at the Meridian plant, said he wasn't entirely surprised to be informed he will be laid off in August

"We'd been real slow for probably the past year or so. We've been working a couple of weeks and then off a week," he said. "We knew it couldn't keep going the way it was going... There wasn't a market for it."

Tim Sears, a team leader at the Meridian plant for 14 years, agreed that the signs of impending layoffs were there. "We kind of saw it coming," he said. "Working a week and getting laid off a week, it couldn't go on like that."

The Valley Forge, Pa., based company said when it announced the shutdown Tuesday that the layoffs would come in 60 days.

Plant manager Kyle Watts said the economic downturn and sluggish commercial building business prompted the decision.

Ballard said he is sorry to leave, but understands why the company made the decision that it did. He said that, because he is diabetic and his wife is a cancer survivor, his biggest concern once he is laid off will be medical coverage.

"The biggest thing," he said, "this is number one, I hope congress will pass something where we'll get some kind of affordable health insurance."

Ballard said he believes most of the workers being laid off are, like him, worried about finding another job in the current economic climate. "There's a lot of uncertainty," he said. "Right now everything is just so slow and Meridian seems to be, they're just not getting any plants or industry in town right now."

Sears agreed. "To find another job in this economic climate in Meridian, Mississippi or anywhere is going to be hard. Especially a job making half of what I was making."

Watts said production will continue until mid-August and then be consolidated with a sister plant in Michigan. He says 15 employees will remain for distribution and sales.

Ballard and Sears said they were informed that the company chose to close the Meridian plant rather than the Michigan plant because the one in Michigan is more up to date and has had more money invested into it.

Ballard said that, along with the medical coverage and paycheck, he will miss the friends he had at the plant. "It's been a great place to work," he said. "It's sad because I made such good friends there. Just a sad situation."

CertainTeed produces ceiling tiles and acoustical wall panels used in residential and commercial construction. The company also operates ceiling tile plants in L'Anse, Mich., and Plymouth, Wis., as well as a ceiling tile grid production facility in Ellenton, Fla.

Text Only

Business

Alternative investments, at a glance
If you’re seeking a different investment path and have a large amount of money to invest, you may already be considering an alternative investment.

May 20, 2012
John Anderson named administrator of Anderson South
May 20, 2012
EMBDC holds ribbon cutting for State Farm Insurance-Jeffrey Wilson
May 20, 2012 1 Photo
Changing jobs can have tax consequences
Taxes may be the last thing on your mind when you’re changing jobs, but overlooking their impact could mean missed tax-saving opportunities. Issues to consider include the following:

May 20, 2012
Working mothers
Recently a politician’s wife came under fire because she did not work outside of the home. The career woman implied that this stay at home mom was not intelligent or experienced to offer non-domestic advice. Instead of keeping her mouth shut and being thought of as a fool, she spoke out and removed all doubt.

May 13, 2012
CNB promotions, position announced
May 13, 2012
Why don’t you have disability income insurance?
If you can’t work and pay your bills, how are you going to cope? Let’s say an injury or illness prevents you from doing your job. How do you deal with the lost income?

May 13, 2012
You can’t hide in fixed income
When is being risk-averse too risky for the sake of your retirement? After you conclude your career or sell your company, you have a right to be financially cautious.

May 6, 2012
Agent of the Month for February
April 29, 2012
Tax bracket vs. tax rate: What’s the difference?
What’s your tax bracket? With the numbers from your federal income tax return fresh on your mind, you probably know the answer or can find it easily. Are you as familiar with your effective tax rate?

April 29, 2012
More Business Headlines

Business

Search Results

Discussion

CertainTeed layoffs leave workers uncertain

Site Map

Contact Us