By Boris Ladwig, The Republic City Editor
bladwig@therepublic.com
The Toyota forklift plant near Walesboro has cut more than 100 employees due to the economic downturn.
Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing said in a press release that it reduced its workforce in Woodside Industrial Park by 15 percent, but a spokeswoman said she did not know how many people worked at the plant or how many were let go.
In March, a spokesman said the plant employed 832, meaning a 15 percent cut would equal roughly 125 employees.
"The economic downturn has had a significant impact on all segments of the economy that are served by the material handling industry, resulting in a 49.3 percent decline in the lift truck market, according to the Industrial Truck Association," read TIEM's press release, signed by Tim Barker, senior manager of corporate services.
In March and April, executives had scheduled seven non-production days due to reduced orders.
Barker on Friday also wrote that the plant had to align its workforce with market conditions and that the reductions were achieved through early retirements, voluntary departures and performance-based cuts.
"All associates have received financial assistance," Barker wrote.
Casandra Lane, HR senior specialist said she could not provide details.
Barker could not be reached.
The plant, at 5555 Inwood Drive, opened in 1990 and covers 870,000 square feet. In 2005, Toyota opened at the site an $11 million, 52,000-square-foot National Customer Center that includes a demonstration room, retractable bleachers and a conference room with stadium-style seating.
Since January 2008, TIEM has reduced its workforce by about 175, or 20 percent.