SUGAR CREEK, Mo. – LaFarge is temporarily closing most of its mills and the kiln at its Sugar Creek cement plant.
Jarrett Huntley, plant manager, says 35 to 40 people will be laid off as of Nov. 1 because of the slumping economy.
Huntley says this will be the first temporary closing of the eastern Jackson County cement plant in years, and that it’s a result of the the recession.
LaFarge hopes to reopen the mills and the kiln on January 11, recalling the plant workers then.
The Sugar Creek plant makes Portland cement which is used in many construction projects. Huntley says LaFarge has enough reserve cement to keep supplying it’s customers until production resumes in January.
The federal economic stimulus package includes millions of dollars for highways and bridges, which should help companies such as LaFarge.
