Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010

News broke this weekend that another of our hometown industrial manufacturers, National Standard out of Niles, is planning to cut its workforce just before the holiday season, putting more area residents out of work.

According to reports, the move is an effort to transfer a certain aspect of the company’s production to another facility in Oklahoma.

It’s been estimated more than 50 workers could lose their jobs by Christmas.

Manufacturing, like any industry, does not move forward without progression. It does not evolve without change and it’s important on behalf of communities such as ours to understand the need for such companies to make difficult decisions in order for overall survival.

However, it is also just as important for the companies themselves to understand their position within a community such as ours as industrial leaders.

For every employee who finds themselves unemployed, there is an opportunity on behalf of big companies to cushion the blow.

A successful business is one that not only continues to enterprise but recognizes its role as a key player in the life of an employee.

We hope that National Standard will take the first step and serve as an example to other businesses in the future, by providing help to those employees it is forced to lose.

As the country and communities such as ours continue to struggle through tough economic times, it seems that more companies could and should develop placement service programs. Programs that could and should help transition those employees to another job suited to their skills or a placement service capable of working with their needs.

It would and could be an opportunity for local companies to give back to their community even when they have to impact it in a way they’d most likely rather avoid.

This would be especially helpful to smaller companies who might benefit from an experienced workforce now looking for work.

Seeing any company with a deep-rooted history in a small community such as Niles let go of our friends and neighbors is never easy. Still, it seems moving forward and helping those affected move forward, should be easier.