Employees at Monarch Cement Company received notice recently of an “anticipated” shutdown, something that hasn’t happened for almost 30 years.
“The exact timing will depend on the strength of our market as we head into late fall and early winter,” Monarch president, Walter Wulf Jr., said. “That is often dictated by weather conditions.”
Approximately 85 hourly employees were advised of the possible temporary layoff in advance to let them plan accordingly. When storage silos become full, they will be notified seven days prior to shutting down operations.
“We anticipate the layoff may last four to 10 weeks dependent on demand for product, which again will be influenced by weather,” Wulf said. “Inventory and beginning of the year sales forecasts will determine when we will begin calling back employees.”
The milling department will be called back first, followed by the remaining hourly employees approximately two weeks later and employees will have a week’s notice that operations are to resume.
Wulf said the last shutdown for Monarch occurred during the summer of 1983 and the last winter shutdowns were the winters of 1975 and 1976, due to weak sales caused by economic conditions.
“The same is true today,” he said.
According to Ed Sullivan, the Portland Cement Association economist, the market declines the cement industry has experienced nationwide the last several years are the worst percentage declines in cement consumption since the Depression of the 1930s.
Monarch shutdown possible
