NC boat maker laying off 80 workers

NEW BERN, N.C. (AP) -- A boat manufacturer in New Bern, N.C. says it will lay about 80 workers.

Hatteras-CABO Yachts said Thursday it was eliminating the jobs of 25 percent of its hourly workers.

The company is owned by Brunswick Corp. and is up for sale.

President and CEO John Ward said the layoffs are needed to adjust the workforce to production demands.

Ward said the latest cut was necessary "if we're going to continue to run and make decisions supportive of demand and our needs."

This is the third layoff at the plant this year. Two reductions in January eliminated first 105 workers' jobs, then 40 more positions.

Ward says some of those laid off Thursday have been laid off and re-hired previously.

"I am very optimistic we will be able to call these people back to work after the sale and as business starts to come back," he said.

At one time, the company employed 1,200 people and operated a second plant in Swansboro.

There is reason for optimism, Ward said, given that half the boats the company now sells go to overseas markets.

"We're getting ready to make our second delivery to China and we are in several Latin markets where we continue to do very well," he said. "I'm excited about our future even though these are trying, challenging times."