Alcoa plans layoffs at Jonesboro site in March

JONESBORO - Alcoa Engineered Products will shutdown its Kawneer Co. plant in Jonesboro by the end of March, eliminating nearly 250 jobs. <br> <br> The plant makes aluminum doors and frames for commercial buildings. Employees were notified about the closing Tuesday. <br> <br> On Wednesday, the site went from three shifts to one, Alcoa spokesman Mike Cooper said. <br> <br> Cooper said that 74 employees effected by Wednesday&#39;s job cuts will receive full pay and benefits through March 15. <br> <br> The shutdown is part of the Chicago-based company&#39;s restructuring, announced in November. It includes cutting about 6,500 jobs at 40 sites around the world. <br> <br> ``There is industry overcapacity and declining market demand,&#39;&#39; said William O. Cralley, president of Norcross-based Kawneer. ``We must reduce our manufacturing base if we are to remain an industry leader.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Kawneer was part of Alcoa&#39;s acquisition of Atlanta-based Alumax in 1998. Equipment from the Jonesboro plant will be transferred to other Kawneer sites in North America.

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