Expiring tax credits, bad weather and the seasonal nature of the business have led to a number of layoffs at Simonton Windows' Ellenboro, W.Va., facility.
Officials with the window producing company declined to say how many people were laid off, but most will be rehired in the spring when business picks up, said Kathy Ziprik, corporate spokesperson with Simonton. Most, but not all, of the laid-off workers were seasonal, she said.
"As in the past, the first employees that are placed on layoff are those hired originally on a temporary basis to help us during the stronger months," Ziprik said. "After that, our full-time employees are given the option to volunteer for time off. We have many (who) look forward to it every year."
Ziprik said Simonton has laid off employees in the winter every year she's been with the company. But poor weather nationwide and the expiration of tax credits for homeowners replacing windows and doors hurt business in January.
The tax credits expired in December, and many homeowners elected to replace their windows and doors then rather than wait until January or February.
"We had record-breaking productions in December," she said. "December is usually slow, but we had what we call 'pull-through' business."
Melvin Parks, 44, of 117 W. Ninth St., Williamstown, was among those laid off.
"They said it'd be a few weeks (before I'm rehired), but that could change depending on how many windows get sold," he said.
Parks, a material handler and production worker, said he'll be paid a lower salary while he's laid off, and that could last three months.
