Indalex mulls layoffs at Girard plant

GIRARD — Indalex Aluminum Solutions is considering laying off 87 workers this fall because of the weakened housing market.

Scott Langdon, a spokesman for the Chicago-based company, said the layoffs may come in November, but officials at the aluminum extruder are informing workers now so they have time to prepare.

The layoffs could last for some time because the housing market is expected to continue to be weak through next year, he said.

The cutbacks are on top of 45 layoffs that were made recently because of a broken press. Rather than repair the press, the company cut back production at the plant because of the market conditions.

The plant has about 250 people working and it produces extrusions primarily for home building. Two other plants in the company’s residential building and construction group have the capacity to take on the work that the Girard plant can’t handle because of the broken press.

Indalex also operates a plant in Niles, which employs 80. It hasn’t been affected by the slowdown in the housing industry because it produces extrusions primarily for the transportation industry.