Sunbeam Downsizing Affects Employees

A Four-State company is downsizing and several hundred employees may lose their jobs. Neosho city officials and 642 employees of Neosho`s Sunbeam outdoor products plant have received a letter warning them that they could be losing their jobs. Monday night, city officials received word that a significant portion of the Sunbeam plant could shut down. 642 employees received a work adjustment and retaining notification act or warn letter and according to corporate spokesman Mark Baker. That number coincides with the number of full-time workers at the plant. Neosho Chamber President Gib Garrow says the lay-offs could effect nearly 50% of Sunbeams workforce and despite the bad economy, he hopes that Neosho will overcome this hard time. Gib Garrow - Neosho Chamber Of Commerce "Weve always been able to absorb those people..Tyson laid off 400 people and we were able to place all of the people that wanted jobs...and be looking for people." Sunbeam has had a number of problems in the past. They filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection last February. Just a few months ago, the Webber Corporation signed a letter of intent to purchase the plant, but that deal later collapsed. Baker says the plant will not close completely, but will be downsizing. And even though over 600 employees received warning of the layoffs, Baker says that does not mean that all of them will be laid off. Sunbeam officials expect the layoffs to occur in the period between February 2nd through February 16th.