Shaky economic conditions have caused a McCook manufacturer to lay off workers and eliminate a shift.

Jeff Crick, Human Resource Manager at Parker-Hannifin, confirmed that 28 employees took a voluntary layoff and another 24 were laid off in October.

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The second of three shifts at the plant, from 3 to 11 p.m., was eliminated Monday, Crick said.

The company manufacturers industrial rubber hose and rubber compound and normally employs about 250 people. Crick said the layoffs were tied to lack of customer demand, especially in the building and construction trade.

"Obviously, no one is happy about this," Crick said. The plant tried other measures to avoid the layoffs, he said, but "the economy didn't turn around."

Parker Hannifin also produces hoses for washing machines and demand for that is down but still doing better than some of the other products, Crick said.

"We've talked to our customers and they're still on board," he said. "There's just a lack of demand right now, that's tied to consumer spending."

Crick stressed that the layoffs were not a reflection of employee efficiency, productivity or the quality of its products.

Those who were laid off are on a one-year recall, Crick said, which means if things pick up, those workers will be the first to be called back.

Several who voluntarily left are scheduled to come back to work this month and next month, Crick said.

All are eligible for unemployment and insurance has been extended for 90 days.

The plant is still operating its two other shifts, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Parker has experienced similar layoffs before, Crick said, such as in 2002 and 1985.