Cirrus Design Corp., the Duluth, Minnesota-based manufacturer of the world’s best-selling four-seat airplane, laid off 100 workers Thursday.
Cirrus now employs 1,230 people in Duluth and Grand Forks.
Executives often cite “efficiency” to defend layoffs, and Cirrus’ COO Brent Wouters is no exception. He does not expect any further layoffs, but does not plan to re-open the positions if business improves.
Weaker-than-expected sales derailed plans to increase airplane production this year. Wouters expects sales to recover as the economy bounces back. The firm plans to add two new planes to its product line.
Just last week, Duluth-based Northstar Aerospace, a supplier of aircraft components to Cirrus, laid off 15 of its 100 workers.