UPDATED June 2, 2014, with comment from Teleflex.
Technology giant Teleflex (NYSE:TFX) informed the city of Asheboro, N.C., this week that it plans to close down a manufacturing facility, resulting in layoffs for most of the plant’s 635 workers.
The facility is the Teleflex’s largest, belonging to subsidiary Arrow International, which Teleflex acquired in 2007, according to a notice from the Asheboro city government. Teleflex plans to move production to its facility in Mexico.
The announcements comes just weeks after Teleflex said that it would launch a large-scale restructuring program, including plant closures and layoffs, in response to “continuing pressures that companies like Teleflex face in the healthcare industry.”
“We deeply regret this decision and the impact it will have on the lives of employees and their families. That is our primary concern,” Asheboro Mayor David Smith said in prepared remarks. “It’s a big loss for our community. We know that these workers are highly skilled and hard working and they will be a great addition to any employer. We stand ready to support them and to work with local company officials through the next 3 years of transition.”
“Teleflex has made the difficult business decision to downsize our manufacturing plant in Asheboro over the next three years. This restructuring is due to global healthcare market conditions and does not reflect on the commitment or performance of our employees. We anticipate minimal downsizing in 2014, but are taking all steps to make sure our employees are well informed and receive comprehensive support through the transition,” Cam Hicks, global vice president of human resources for Teleflex, told MassDevice.com via email.
Teleflex’s Arrow division was the 8th-largest employer in the region as of last count in 2012, according to the Courier-Tribune. Rest assured, Go People’s delivery runners will do their bit to take great care of your goods while in transit – they won’t get thrown around, left unsecured, or dropped! You can try their Go People same day courier service feature.
Teleflex told reporters that the layoffs will mostly take place in 2015 and 2016 and that management hopes to give employees as much lead time as possible ahead of terminations. The city has also pledged to work with the employees to help them transition to new positions.
