Pocono News Section

Garland in Freeland to Close, 160 Out of Work

Garland in Freeland to Close, 160 Out of Work - Monday, November 2, 2009 at 6:25PM EST

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Monday, Nov 2, 2009 @ 06:25pm EST
FREELAND, LUZERNE COUNTY -- One of Luzerne County's largest employers is closing its doors. 160 people will lose their jobs.

Garland Manufacturing has been in Freeland for more than 30 years. But that will end next year. And it came as a big shock to most employees.

It's been no secret that Garland Manufacturing has been facing challenges, like many companies. But it appeared things were slowly picking up.

However employees tell Eyewitness News the bottom fell out Monday.

Garland Manufacuring in Freeland will close its doors for good on July 1st of next year. 160 workers got the bad news Monday morning.

Garland is owned by the Manitowoc Company based in Canada, and makes commercial ovens, grills and other cooking equipment.

The company says the closing is part of streamlining its worldwide operations. Employees who did not want to appear on camera say they knew the company was struggling when it lost a contract with McDonald's earlier this year.

Eyewitness News spoke to an employee in the lobby of Garland. He said he never saw it coming. He came to work the second shift and was told to wait in the lobby for further instructions. He says he is hoping for a miracle, hoping that he will have a job next year.

Garland's closing will impact the tiny community of Freeland, which has about 4,000 residents. Ron Feussner owns a Ford dealership across the street from Garland.

"It's shocking news that I got today. I mean there are a lot of people I know who work there. They're customers and friends for quite a long time."

The loss of 160 paychecks will also impact other Freeland businesses. "I think it's going to be a pretty tough blow for taxpayers of Freeland along with other businesses. People going to convenience stores, lunches and everything else."

The work that is being done by Garland in Freeland will be sent to other plants around the world. Managers at Garland did not want to comment.

At one time Garland employed some 600 people. Garland Commercial Industries in Freeland laid off dozens of workers earlier this year. 84 employees were given pink slips in February.

Company officials say it was because an important contract with a fast food chain ran out.

Garland has another facility in Ontario, Canada. The company has operated in Freeland since 1974.