NTN-Bower (a division of NTN Corp., Japan) has cut another 55 workers from its bearing manufacturing plant in Macomb, Illinois. The factory will also be shut down for six weeks over the summer.

Earlier this year, the company cut 49 positions -- 42 probationary hires and 7 full-timers.

2009 article: NTN-Bower cuts 49 in Macomb
Macomb produces heavy-duty cylindrical and tapered roller bearings for trucks, forklifts and heavy industrial equipment. Major customers include Caterpillar, John Deere, and Dana. Layoffs are in response to the continued down market in those business segments.

Macomb was also the first plant to push NTN-Bower's focus and expand production beyond bearings to other high-value-added precision products that fit the same manufacturing framework as bearings.

At 300,000 square feet, Macomb was considered massive when it was built in 1966 by the Bower bearing division of Federal-Mogul Corp. In 1985, NTN joined as a joint venture with Federal-Mogul, buying out F-M's share in 1987. The plant has undergone many changes since then and now covers more than 750,000 square feet.

NTN-Bower has long been Macomb's largest employer. After this most recent round of layoffs, approximately 500 employees remain -- still a relatively high level for Macomb, and only slightly below where it was in early 2008. There had been some hiring in 2008, but those positions and a few more have now been cut.

In a statement, NTN-Bower said: "We regret these actions are necessary, but the slumping markets dictate that we reduce production."