A Marshall County manufacturer is extending dozens of previously-announced furloughs and layoffs. In a notice to the state, Bremen-based Universal Bearings LLC said the 61 employees affected by the decision will likely remain out of work beyond the original six-month period, though a specific duration was not given.
The company, which manufactures loose needle and needle bearing products, originally announced furloughs and layoffs in April and June. The company says it has since recalled 73 of the originally affected employees.
“Universal Bearings is hopeful that the COVID-19 pandemic will improve in the very near future, and that current economic conditions will change, and that Universal Bearings will be able to have employees return to work as soon as possible,” the company said. “However, as Universal Bearings cannot predict how long the COVID-19 situation will last, and the impact of its effects upon Universal Bearings operations and business, Universal Bearings cannot rule out that furloughs/layoffs could be longer than initially anticipated.”
Universal Bearings says it does not know if the temporary furloughs and layoffs will become permanent.
