The ThyssenKrupp Waupaca foundry in Etowah has announced it will be reducing its work force by 70 employees at the end of January, reducing the company’s staffing to about 263 employees.Waupaca spokesman Matt Rhodes said the foundry is converting from ductile castings to grey iron castings as the market for products changes.“Grey iron products have become the material of choice for drums and other items,” Rhodes said, and with the changeover, fewer employees are needed to produce the products. Etowah Chamber of Commerce Director Durant Tullock said he hates to see job cuts at the plant but said there is no indication the plant will close.
Rhodes said the company is not closing plants, simply adapting to the market place. Prior to the recent nationwide financial crunch, Waupaca has plans to expand the Etowah plant but those plans are now on hold. ThyssenKrupp Waupaca is headquartered in Wisconsin.
