SARASOTA, FL — Behlen Manufacturing Company plans to close its Sarasota manufacturing facility before the end of the year, laying off 55 workers, according to a Florida Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice filed on Oct. 15.
The company said in a news release that it will close its Behlen Building Systems facility at 2812 Tallevast Road by Dec. 18 and move production to its operations in Columbus, Nebraska.
Headquartered in Columbus, Behlen manufactures steel products and operates several business units, including pre-engineered metal buildings, farm and ranch equipment, and grain storage systems.
The closure of the Behlen Building Systems facility is driven by high production costs in the Southeast, rising material and freight expenses, and the company's efforts to improve efficiency and remain competitive, the news release said.
Behlen will support affected employees through retention incentives, career counseling and job placement assistance.
"This was a difficult decision, particularly because of the impact it will have on our employees in Sarasota," CEO Tom Boal said in a statement. "We are grateful for the dedication, hard work, and contributions of our Sarasota team. While the decision to close a facility is never easy, we must continue making strategic decisions that strengthen our operations and position Behlen for long-term success."
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