More layoffs expected at Shelbyville's Ryobi plant

Shelbyville News staff report

More local layoffs are expected to be announced today as a result of the ongoing American Axle strike and shutdown of General Motors Corp. plants in the Midwest.

An announcement will be made this morning detailing additional layoffs at Ryobi Die Casting USA Inc., 800 Masoleum Road, Ryobi operations manager Jeff Williams confirmed.

On Wednesday, Williams said he would make a statement "once we know what we are going to do." Williams said Ryobi is looking at schedules, but he said an announcement before today would have been "premature."

The company last week requested voluntary layoffs of 26 workers at Ryobi Plant No. 2. The company has said those layoffs were the result of GM plant shutdowns, including five in Indiana.

Another Shelbyville manufacturer, Pilkington North America Co., 300 Northridge Drive, on Friday announced it would lay off 250 employees, about two-thirds of its work force. Those layoffs took effect Monday.

Ryobi supplies die castings to DMAX of Moraine, Ohio, which uses the castings to manufacture engines for GM. Pilkington makes glass for the automotive industry.

Spokesmen from both companies said the American Axle strike has caused a ripple effect and decreased demand for many automotive-related components.

However, Williams said Ryobi is in a better position than some parts manufacturers because GM "is not our only customer."