Techline USA

Techline USA plans to close its plant at 500 S. Division St. in Waunakee by June 9, although a few employees might remain on longer. The closing will eliminate 93 jobs. The company sent a letter Wednesday to the state Department of Workforce Development notifying it of the closing. Neither company officials nor representatives of the Carpenters Industrial Council Local Union 2190, which represents union employees, were available for comment late Wednesday afternoon. General manager John Lasky said in the letter to the state “that the company is no longer economically viable in light of industrywide economic conditions over the last decade in an increasingly competitive global economy with a shift in customer preferences now favoring lower-cost goods with shorter product lifespans over the high quality and long-lasting products which have always been the cornerstone of Techline’s business.” An initial layoff of 82 employees will occur on June 9. The remaining employees will be laid off on a weekly basis until existing work is finished and the company closes. Village president John Laubmeier said he had only heard of the closing late Wednesday afternoon. “Needless to say, we had no forewarning of this, and we’re very sorry to hear it,” Laubmeier said. “It’s a very nice, good company that’s been here for years.” Village officials have made contact with the company and the property owner, Laubmeier said, asking, “‘OK, what’s next?’ We would certainly like to cooperate in trying to work with whoever as to what is next so we can have a good, thriving business there again and, hopefully, have many of those jobs that are now drying up rebuilt in a new position.” Marshall Erdman founded the company in 1969. It makes business office and storage cabinets, special work surface tops and landscape panel systems, among other products