Hendrickson said it will be initiating significant layoffs during the first quarter of 2007 at its spring plant in Stratford, Ontario, Canada.

"We have seen some decline in the workforce over the past year due to normal attrition in both the salaried and hourly workforce, which should reduce the overall impact of the layoffs,” said a Hendrickson spokesperson. “However, because of the predicted significant decline in the heavy-duty truck market, approximately a 35 percent reduction of both salaried and hourly personnel will ultimately be required," according to the spokesperson.
Nearly all OEM truck manufacturers and their suppliers in the heavy-duty market are announcing similar layoffs next year as a result an anticipated industry-wide drop in demand for heavy- and medium-duty trucks during the first half of 2007.
“While market conditions make reductions essential for responsible management of our business, we regret the impact on our employees, their families and the local community,” the spokesperson added.