Barden Corp UK Ltd. (a division of Schaeffler Group, Germany) announced it is in a "consultation period" for workers at its Eastover facility.

A consultation period is legally required before layoffs can occur. The company said it plans to cut 35 jobs from Eastover due to low demand for its bearings.

Eastover produces high precision ball bearings, primarily for instruments, electronics, defense and aerospace applications. Approximately 1,000 different bearings are in active production there.

Just last year, a two-year, USD $15 million capital investment program was announced for Eastover. article: Schaeffler invests more in Barden UK
Schaeffler acquired Barden in 1991, and it now, "forms the nucleus of its Aircraft and Super Precision (ASCP) Division." Manufacturing facilities are in Eastover; Schweinfurt, Germany; Stratford, Canada; Danbury, Connecticut; and Winsted Precision Ball in Connecticut.

Last month, Barden's Connecticut operations were awarded $3.3 million in state aid.

article: Barden nets $3.3 million incentive package
The funding for a German-owned company has proved a highly controversial use of economic stimulus -- sparking a barrage of criticism from U.S.-owned competitors and a number of other U.S.-owned manufacturers.