NH's Thompson Center Arms lays off 80 workers

ROCHESTER, N.H.—Eighty production workers are losing their jobs at Thompson Center Arms in Rochester, New Hampshire, a unit of firearms maker Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.

This latest round of staffing cuts follows a 36-position reduction at the plant back in February. Smith & Wesson acquired Thompson Center Arms in January 2007. Thompson makes hunting rifles.

Smith & Wesson President and CEO Michael F. Golden said on Thursday that the reduction in force is due to the current economic state of the nation.

The layoffs signified roughly 18 percent of Thompson Center Arms work force, reducing the number of workers at the factory to roughly 360.

City Economic Development Manager Karen Pollard said workers from the state Department of Employment Security in Somersworth were on hand to help former employees make the transition and enroll into state programs to help them find new employment opportunities.

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Information from: Foster's Daily Democrat, http://www.fosters.com