Sherrill Manufacturing Eliminating More Than 80 Jobs

Citing increased foreign competition, Sherrill Manufacturing in New York is ending its flatware manufacturing operations and will lay off 80 workers in May.

The moves were announced through a filing with Oneida County Workforce Development officials.  According to WKTV.com, Sherrill Manufacturing recently lost its largest customer to China, which accounted for more than 60 percent of the company’s anticipated revenue. Around 20 workers will remain in light manufacturing, plating, logistics and real estate business units.

“As long as the international trade scenario continues to be what it is, it’s impossible for the operation to be economically viable,” company CEO Greg Owens told the Oneida Observer Dispatch. “We don’t blame our customers for taking their business overseas. They have to be competitive.”

Sherrill Manufacturing employed as many as 150 people at its peak and it one time had plans to expand. But a drop in orders resulted in the 120 temporary layoffs last year,  which were later reinstated at a reduced salary.