GE Healthcare (NYSE:GE) has reportedly laid off 140 employees at its Madison, Wis. facility due to decreased demand for certain products.
The Wisconsin State Journal reported that union representatives confirmed that layoffs came after the need for new ventilators and anesthesia machines has decreased. Demand for such devices had been high over the past year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the report, the company had hired about 250 employees at the Madison facility amid the increased demand for the machines as the pandemic gained steam. However, production has lessened as the need for such devices decreases.
GE Healthcare laid off about 50 employees in September before adding another 90 layoffs last Friday, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1406 told The Wisconsin State Journal.
A company spokesperson told the news outlet that GE Healthcare plans to work with employees included in the layoffs to find other positions within the company if such positions are available.
“This decision does not reflect on the performance or dedication of the impacted employees, who played an important role supporting our COVID-19 efforts,” the company told the outlet in a statement.