Aarrowcast laying off 90 workers

SHAWANO - Layoffs at a Shawano foundry are putting 90 workers out of a job. But Aarrowcast officials say the nearly 20 percent cut may be only temporary.

For the past two and a half years, Dane Pecanas has worked in the shipping department at Aarrowcast. Wednesday will be his last day.

“Yeah, I'm getting laid off,” he said.

Pecanas is one of ninety workers losing his job.

“I know some of the other people are pretty upset. I mean a lot of people just getting started, and they're going to get laid off,” said Pecanas.

Aarrowcast makes iron cast frames, axles, and suspension parts for agriculture and military customers.

Senior vice president and chief financial officer Jon Moreau says orders have dropped off for November and December.

“A lot of customers are kind of taking a wait and see attitude. That's what we're hearing. See what happens with the election. There's a lot of concern about what's going to happen with the tax laws,” said Moreau.

The workforce will be reduced from 480 workers to 390.

Moreau hopes the layoffs are temporary. 

“Nothing's for sure, we don't know that at this point in time, but we believe it's going to bounce back. What we hear from our customers is we'll bounce back in early 2013,” said Moreau.

Dane Pecanas says he'll be ready to return.

“Yeah, I think they'll turn around. My boss wants to call me back. So I'll come back if he calls me back,” said Pecanas.

The company announced a $7 million expansion project in June.

Moreau says those plans are moving forward to meet orders in the coming year and may lead to recalling workers as well.