Eaton plant to layoff 250

SHENANDOAH — Officials with Eaton Corporation announced last week they would be eliminating about 250 positions at their Shenandoah plant.

The cuts will be gradual and will start within a few weeks according to media reports. The cuts come on the heels of a 71-position cut in December. Messages left for Eaton Corp. were not returned by press time.

According to both KMALand and the Omaha World Herald, 85 jobs will be left at the plant.

In an interview with KMALand, Eaton Corp. Communications director Jim Michaels said the move came as part of a move in marketing strategy.

“That strategy involves elimination of transmission assembly, gear and shaft machining operations, and retaining manufacturing of some components for final assembly of the transmissions,” he said.

Employees were notified Wednesday.

“I cannot emphasize enough that this announcement in no way is a reflection of the hard work of the people in this facility,” he said on KMALand. “They are excellent employees. They are dedicated employees, and they are good people.”