Invista eliminates 110 jobs

Invista said Wednesday that 110 employees and contractors will be laid off at the Waynesboro plant, and attributed the reductions to a continued sluggish demand in the carpet and apparel industries.

The company said the reductions will happen in the coming months, but did not offer an exact timetable.

Jim Flickinger, president of United Workers, Inc., which represents Invista wage employees, said the union will meet with Invista management Dec. 2 to discuss the layoffs and justify them.

“They will tell us why the roles can be eliminated and the timetable,’’ he said.

While Flickinger does not have final numbers, he said of those affected, there would likely only be about two dozen contract employees.

The Waynesboro plant produces nylon fiber for Stainmaster carpet and Lycra fiber for hosiery, socks and sports apparel. The site also does research and development for Spandex.

Waynesboro Invista site manager Mike Laczynski offered an explanation for the latest cutbacks.

“We have a keen understanding of and appreciation for the fact that these are challenging times, but these actions are being taken as part of the efforts to enhance the viability of the Waynesboro site,’’ he said.

Laczynski said the layoffs are necessary because “in light of the current market conditions, we must make difficult decisions to increase our chances for success in the global marketplace.”

Flickinger said the only way employment will increase at Invista Waynesboro is through new housing starts, and the remodeling of homes and carpet installation in existing homes.

Flickinger expressed disappointment about the sluggish carpet demand, and he has concern that Invista may not be ready to restart its idled nylon operation when demand resurfaces for that product.

Invista’s nylon operation has been idled since December 2008. Invista Spokeswoman Erica Taylor said the nylon operation will stay idle until the market for the product dictates a restart.

Flickinger said Invista needs to be ready with labor and equipment when nylon resumes.

“We must have skilled labor ready and make sure everything is operational and mechanically sound,’’ he said.

Wednesday’s Invista announcement comes in the wake of the planned Dec. 18 closing of Waynesboro’s Mohawk Industries plant.

Mohawk’s 120 workers will lose their jobs at the carpet-backing plant, it was announced in October.

Mohawk attributed its Waynesboro closing to a housing slump and dwindling carpet demand.

And just a week ago, Waynesboro-based nTelos, Inc. announced the layoff of 37 employees connected to the company’s wireless operation, and the planned early retirement of 11 more.

The wave of reductions at Waynesboro Invista began almost a year ago in December 2008.

A year ago, Invista announced the layoff of 132 contract workers from The Mundy Companies, a Houston-based services provider, and the idling of the company’s nylon operation.

The planned layoff of most of the 210 Invista employees for February of this year was avoided after United Workers, Inc. and the company negotiated a tentative new contract.

Flickinger said in February that “far less’’ than the 210 Invista employees were laid off.

But on Wednesday, Invista announced another round of layoffs, saying that total employment at the facility after restructuring would be around 500, including contractors.

Local leaders and economic development officials reacted to Invista’s announcement Wednesday night.

Ben Carter, president and CEO of the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce, sits on Invista’s community advisory panel.

Carter said “it’s really unfortunate when businesses find themselves in this situation. With Invista, business has been down.”

But Carter said Invista “is making decisions to stay in business and be in business when the economy turns around so they can respond properly with an improving economy.

“You want a company to make decisions like this so they can stay in business and not go out of business. This is economics 101,’’ Carter said.

Waynesboro Mayor Tim Williams called the layoffs announcement “tragic,” but said the city will survive without potentially reduced machine and tools tax revenues.

“My heart goes out to the families this impacts,” Williams said, noting the unfortunate timing around the holidays.

Dennis Burnett, Augusta County’s director of economic development, said the Invista announcement impacts the entire region of Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County.

Burnett said it is important to work with existing employers and “be ready to go’’ when the recession ends.