Business digest

NATION
Mack Trucks plans450 layoffs at plant
MACUNGIE, Pa. -- Blaming an anticipated market downturn, Mack Trucks Inc. said Friday it will lay off about 450 workers at its truck assembly plant here.
The company said it expected reduced demand for trucks produced after Jan. 1, when stricter EPA emissions standards take effect. The cuts, to be made over the next six months, will reduce the plant's work force by more than 40 percent.
The Macungie plant employs about 1,040 people.
REGION
14-karat gold tees sellfor 2,495 and up each
STOW -- VaniTees, a Stow-based producer of golf products, is selling solid 14-karat gold golf tees, which weigh 3.5 ounces. The tees, which are sculpted like a male body-builder, are called HercuTees and cost 2,995. A female version, which is called AphrodiTees, weighs 2.1 ounces and costs 2,495.
The tees also come in solid sterling silver, solid bronze and polymer versions that can be used in a round of golf. The silver tees sell for 139.95 for the male and 119.95 for the female. The bronze tees are 59.95 each. The polymer tees cost 9.95 for a set of three.
From Vindicator staff and wire reports