Brillion Iron Works laying off 198 workers

BRILLION - Nearly 200 people will soon be out of a job in Brillion.

Officials with Brillion Iron Works say the economy is forcing them to downsize.

2012 started off well for Brillion Iron Works, with about 200 workers hired to keep up with demand. But starting Saturday, the company will go right back to where it was to start the year.

“We knew about it maybe a week or so ago that the potential was there,” said Tim Knoespel, the Vice President of the United Steel Workers Local 475. “We were somewhat surprised that it came about so abruptly with out more advance notice.”

198 positions are being eliminated. 184 are hourly and 14 are salaried. It brings the company's work crews down from 11 to 7.

“The general economy has been at a pretty anemic growth pace,” said Timothy Weir, a spokesperson for the company. “It's just barely above break even, so it's been a pretty slow build.”

Officials with the Indiana-based company say, through June, revenue growth was significant. Brillion Iron Works specializes in making castings for vehicles like semis. Company officials say in the last two months conditions slowed for its main customers.

“We're on a record pace for revenue and profitability,” said Weir. “We're still going to be able to turn in really strong performances for the whole year, but it's been disappointing to see our core markets begin to soften.”

The company's employees hope the workforce reduction is only temporary.

“You just make the best of it,” said Knoespel. “It's a good company. We are hard working people here and we'll survive.”

Company officials say they are hopeful they have enough work for the rest of the year for their remaining 584 employees..