Workers expected to return next week

Thursday, December 5, 2002

STRATTON -- A number of the 20 or 25 workers laid off recently by Timber Creek Homes in Stratton will be brought back next week, according to a company official.

Production at the custom home construction company is expected to return to normal by February or March.

Timber Creek Co-owner Charles Pelkey said this morning this recent seasonal layoff is a quite typical, if unfortunate, part of the industry.

Pelkey said the approximately two-week layoff has allowed home orders to "mature," allowing time for special materials -- those that cannot be purchased off the shelf -- to arrive on site.

Pelkey said allowing production to proceed while waiting for these materials would have jeopardized the efficiency of the plant and decreased the quality of the end product. "Our single greatest product asset is our quality," Pelkey said. "We didn't want to compromise that."

Pelkey said the plant will operate through February at a reduced production rate, with intentions to return to full production in March.

The first Timber Creek homes started coming off the line in late 2001 and early 2002. This rather seasonal layoff is not uncommon in the housing business, Pelkey said, especially in a first-year company.

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