The Timken Company (USA; NYSE: TKR) said it has laid off 110 more workers from its Lincolnton bearing plant in Iron Station, North Carolina.

Online since 1979, Lincolnton was originally purposed to manufacture large industrial bearings. The 560,000 square foot plant facility now produces automotive and truck wheel bearing hub assembly units, large tapered roller bearings for heavy-duty and off-road trucks, and larger industrial bearings. It employed nearly 1,000 people a year ago.

But Timken has now cut back 345, or 36% from Iron Station. Approximately 10% of the positions were accounted for by early retirement offers.

"The decision was made to continue to align with the decrease in demand," said spokesperson Lorrie Crum.

In the last round of layoffs, Iron Station cut 90 workers and another 40 had their positions or responsibilities stepped back.

article: Timken layoffs hit southern plants
Lincoln county business development authorities said Timken's investments in Lincolnton since 2000 now total more than $70 million and had brought more than 110 additional jobs.