BELLEVILLE - A Pennsylvania foundry with facilities in Belleville, Wrightsville and Mount Joy could begin temporary layoffs starting June 22.
Donsco Inc. produces gray and ductile iron castings for industrial clients. The company acquired the Belleville iron foundry in 1993.
Donsco Employee Relations Manager Kathy Keller said the company is required by law to give notice to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry about any potential change in its work force.
"We have to give 60 days notice," Keller said, adding that the company is still unsure what is going to happen.
At this time, Keller said Donsco's future fate remains "unknown."
Keller said the Belleville foundry employs around 70 people.
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry issued a release that states a total of 73 employees could be affected by the temporary layoffs in Belleville. In addition, the Mount Joy facility anticipates a temporary layoff of 85 people.
Approximately 450 people work at Donsco facilities in Mifflin, York and Lancaster counties.
Keller could not offer any other specific information about the possible layoffs, and said it was too soon to tell what will happen.
"Because of unknowns, we don't know what is going to happen," Keller said of how difficult it is to predict the future economy and projected sales for the company.
Mifflin County Industrial Development Corporation President Robert Postal said he was confident the company will be fine and will weather the current slowdown in the economy.
Postal said the company is in the process of making improvements to all three of their foundries in Pennsylvania, including the Belleville facility.
Postal said Donsco recently paid back a loan issued through MCIDC, which was used to make "long-term improvements" to the foundry.
"These types of improvements take time," he said. "We look forward to a continuing relationship with Donsco."
