Hutchens Industries to lay off 68 workers

The layoffs are a result of a decline in orders, DED said in a news release issued today. Hutchens Industries is a manufacturer of trailer suspensions, sub-frames and steel fabrications and castings.

Hutchens Industries confirmed it would be reducing its work force but declined to comment further.

DED is activating its Rapid Response Team to provide free training and re-employment services to the employees who will be let go.

A community meeting for workers will be held 11 a.m. Sept. 8 at the Mansfield Community Center, 205 N. Missouri Ave.

DED also released today that Springfield’s Metropolitan Statistical Area experienced the most rapid employment growth in Missouri in the past year at 2.1 percent.

Springfield’s health care and social assistance industries added 1,300 jobs, and its leisure and hospitality industries added 1,000.

The city compares to St. Louis, 1 percent growth, and Kansas City, 1.4 percent growth.

Springfield also had the largest decrease in its unemployment rate in July, which fell to 4.3 percent from 4.7 percent in June. The July rate was half a percent lower than July 2004.

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