Timken Co. to reduce Gaffney workforce by 150

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One of Gaffney’s largest industrial employers will reduce its workforce from about 550 to about 400 over the next several months.

Timken Co. announced upcoming workforce reductions last week.

“While we haven’t yet finalized effective dates for impacted associates, we will provide at least 60 days’ notice,” spokesman Scott Schroeder said in an email.

“At Timken, we continually review our operations and global manufacturing footprint to ensure we are providing the best possible value and service to our customers,” the company said in a statement. "We continue to see challenging conditions across many markets that we serve from our Gaffney, S.C., plant. After careful consideration, we have made some restructuring decisions that will reduce overall employment at our Gaffney facility by approximately 150 positions over the next nine months.” 

The company said “many” of the reductions will be achieved through attrition and retirements, and for those who are laid off, Timken “will provide support to help those directly impacted by this change including, employment opportunities at other Timken manufacturing plants where we have qualified candidates for open positions, outplacement services, benefits continuation and retention pay.”

The Ohio-based company manufactures roller bearings and mechanical power transmission components. Timken posted $3.6 billion in sales in 2018 and employs more than 18,000 people. It conducts business in 35 countries, according to its website.