After more than a century in business, a factory in north-central Iowa is announcing a partial shutdown. Sixty-five employees at the Fort Dodge facility of United States Gypsum learned this week that they will lose their jobs on May First.
The wall board manufacturing facility will end production on that date. The nationwide housing market slump is being blamed for the layoff at the Fort Dodge plant.
Plant manager Kevin Richardson said workers have been offered possible relocations to other United States Gypsum plants. The company will also provide career transition counseling.
Meanwhile, the Fort Dodge plant of United States Gypsum will continue to employ 130 people who will continue make ready mix, dry joint, and level rock products.