There’s more bad news for Iowa’s economy. Two northeast Iowa factories are reacting to the recession – one with job cuts, the other with closure.
Five-percent of West Union’s population is affected by the announcement that Atwood Mobile Products will soon shut down. The city’s largest employer plans to close within two months. The plant’s 120 workers were notified of the decision Tuesday and given 60 days notice. Company executives blame the closure on a 33% nationwide decline in recreational vehicle sales.
Atwood, which designs and manufactures a variety of RV products, has been in operation in West Union for nearly 30 years. Local residents are expressing hope that another company will buy the facility and bring those 120 jobs back to the community.
The sour economy is also impacting a Waterloo company. Officials at Omega Cabinetry announced 100 layoffs at the plant, effective immediately. Omega blames the workforce reduction on a decline in nationwide home construction. A statement from the company says more than 800 employees will continue working at the plant.