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Beaird Company, unable to make payroll, shut down operations at its Shreveport metal fabricating plant on Monday, idling employees at least temporarily.
The company today was looking for an investor to put more money into the plant so it could continue operations.
Between 100 and 200 employees are believed affected. The exact number of people being laid off varied, depending on whether it was union or management. The union that represents workers said 72 of its members were laid off, while the company told city officials three times that were affected in some way.
A layoff notice sent to employees on the company letterhead said Beaird Company had been unable to find new loans to continue operations. The letter said the company hoped it would be a short-term shutdown.
Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover's office said some local investors are interested in buying the facility and putting more money it. The city owns the land and building at the Beaird site and leases it to Beaird.
Beaird makes wind turbines.
The plant was closed after the first shift today.
The president of the United Auto Workers local that represents Beaird employees said the current ownership will not put additional money into the plant.
"Hopefully, it is a short shutdown," local president Joey Donald said.
A company spokesman did not return calls for comment.
Jim Moore, who has worked at the plant for two years, said he was told the layoff could last from a few days to two weeks.
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