Batesville Herald-Tribune
The economic woes continue to have an impact on southeastern Indiana and the Batesville community.
Batesville Tool & Die, strongly regarded in the manufacturing industry as a high-tech producer of metal stampings, has been a fixture in the community for 30 years. The company primarily serves globally established customers in the automotive industry.
Batesville Tool & Die was forced to make some adjustments in its workforce to match the current sales level of the automotive industry.
On Thursday, Jan. 15, the company laid off 58 of its full-time associates as a direct result of the current economy.
"The sales in our primary industry are off nearly 40 percent," reported Jody Fledderman, company president. "We are committed to our customers, shareholders, associates and the community.
"Sometimes we are forced to make difficult decisions to assure our long-term viability and success," he added.
It is the first time in its history Batesville Tool & Die has taken such steps.
"As of now we won't make any predictions regarding if or when any of those positions will return to our facility," Fledderman said. "Hopefully, the economy will rebound soon and we can concentrate on growing our business as we have for three decades."