Ansell transfers some operations to Sri Lanka; jobless rate rises to 13 percent

(January 27, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Ansell Healthcare has transferred part of its Coshocton manufacturing operation to its site in Sri Lanka, eliminating the jobs of 12 local employees.The layoffs occurred in December and continue to add to the growing county unemployment which stands at 13.1 percent, according to figures released Tuesday.Unemployment was at 12.4 percent in November.

Phil Corke, Ansell senior vice president of human resource and communications, said the move was a result of the company's restructuring to adjust to supply and demand. In total, the company has eliminated 400 manufacturing positions, and 70 professional and managerial positions at its 29 facilities company-wide.

Ansell designs, develops and manufactures a wide range of hand and arm protection and clothing. The local plant manufactures gloves for the industrial market.

"No doubt there will be companies that will still be downsizing as determined by the market that they are in," Coshocton Mayor Steve Mercer said. "We will continue to feel the effects of that, but as we have seen several companies move into the city, we hope those will make up for the smaller downturns here and there."

Production at the plant was shut down temporarily in February last year, and 64 of the 67 employees laid off at that time were called back in March.

However, with the December layoff and others that occurred in 2009, employment at the local facility has dropped from 115 in 2009 to 78.

According to the latest figures from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, 2,300 people in the county were looking for a job in December.

Lynn Jacobs, work force development administrator with the Coshocton County Job and Family Services, said the office remains busy trying to assist in the job hunting process. He's found with some of the long-established facilities closing down that longtime employees may not have earned their General Education Development diploma.
The office can assist with completing the GED requirements, developing a resume and honing interviewing skills.

Participants are tested on what jobs their skills may be suited for. The staff helps post their information online as well as search the Ohio Means Jobs Web site, Jacobs said.

More intense services for dislocated workers include helping them find training and providing some assistance with that cost.

Jacobs said a lot of people get help to earn their commercial driver's license or become a state-tested nurse's aid. There are also longer training programs available, up to a two-year associate degree, he said.