Monon, IN, January 24, 2006-- Rockland Flooring is issuing recall notices to employees who were laid off last October, when production orders shrank.
"We are very pleased that improved business conditions make this possible," said site manager Steve Langton, who announced Monday that evening shift operations at the laminated flooring plant will resume on Feb. 6.
"We laid off around 50 people and we brought some back to start a schedule in November. We anticipate bringing back roughly 20 more--but will bring back more to the extent we can find them."
Rockland Flooring opened in March 2003 in a building that covers more than 30,000 square feet and formerly was owned by HPA Monon Corp. It manufactures laminated flooring for the truck-trailer industry.
The current work force is about 100, and Langton said since some of the laid-off workers have found other jobs, the company also will need to hire an estimated 20 employees to handle new orders that have prompted the callback.
"We'll need to do some new hiring to make up for attrition," he said.
Connie Neininger, who was hired last month to replace Valerie Hunter as executive director of the White County Industrial Foundation, is encouraged that the callbacks will be taking place.
"I think it's great," said Neininger, a former director of the White County Community Foundation who moved from the area in 2004 and recently returned when her husband took early retirement from his job in Arizona.
"Anytime any of our existing businesses or industries can pull workers back in and increase production it helps our community."
