Starrett cuts back to 4-day week

[ Originally published on: Saturday, January 31, 2009 ]

ATHOL -- Precision toolmaker L.S. Starrett Co. will reduce its work week for most of the 600 workers at its Athol factory and offices, 'a reflection of the sales coming in the door,' President and Chief Operating Officer Douglas A. Starrett said Friday.

'This is nothing we like to have to do, to balance production,' said Starrett. 'What we're seeing is a global slowdown. Most of our entities have seen sales and business activity at lower levels.'

The factory will be closed Fridays indefinitely. While the 'large majority' will have their shifts scaled back to 32 hours, he said, some workers will be reduced to 24 hours in 'a few areas' of the plant.

Starrett declined to say how much sales have scaled back.

Net sales for the quarter that ended last Sept. 27 were $67.9 million, up from $59.9 million for the same quarter in 2007. Annual sales have been about $200 million, according to the company Web site.

The 129-year-old maker of precision tools and other measuring instruments also has factories in Ohio, North and South Carolina, Brazil, Scotland, the Dominican Republic and China, with about 2,100 employees overall.

Starrett said decisions about operating levels for each of those plants is being made by the individual entity.

You can reach Richie Davis at rdavis@recorder.com or (413) 772-0261 Ext. 269

 

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