Published: February 10, 2009 11:53 pm      

Hoganas recalls 16 workers

Sixteen employees of North American Hoganas, which has laid off more than 70 workers since Christmas, returned to work Tuesday, The Tribune-Democrat has learned.

The company issued a statement noting that the layoffs have come in waves, beginning with the furlough of 42 of the 157 employees at its Stony Creek plant in Hollsopple.

Those who returned were all from the Stony Creek plant.

The company has cut 30 em-ployees from its Johnstown plant in the city’s Moxham neighborhood. Those layoffs took place Jan. 2 and Feb. 5.

The company cited a decline in production and sales for the North American automotive industry as the reason for the layoffs. Hoganas, which produces powdered metals, said that the auto industry is the largest customer for its products.

Hoganas, which is celebrating its 10th year in the U.S., said it has implemented a number of cost-saving measures in addition to the layoffs. It said demand for its products continues to lag, but added that as demand improves more employees will be recalled.

The company did not offer any further comment on the layoffs.