by Nick Gevock of The Montana Standard – 12/09/2008
The R.L. Winston Rod Co. has laid off production workers to deal with lower projected sales of its fly fishing rods worldwide, a company executive said Monday.
Woody Woodard, chief executive officer, said in a telephone interview from his office in Twin Bridges that the company regrets the layoffs, but that they are necessary to deal with the worldwide economic slump. He would not say how many people were let go, but said they are production workers. “It was a very difficult decision because we care for these people,” he said. “Hopefully it’s a short-term deal and we can rehire these people as soon as possible.” Winston is a major employer in Twin Bridges and the surrounding area. The company makes high-end fly rods that are sold throughout the world. A Montana Standard story in 2005 reported that the company employed just under 100 people at that time.
see rest of story at the Montana Standard
