GUELPH, Ontario — Aerial work platform manufacturer Skyjack announced it will extend the shutdown of its manufacturing facilities for an additional six weeks, until Nov. 19.

The continued shutdowns are intended to further reduce inventories and expenses. They are in response to the continuing economic slowdown, exacerbated by business uncertainties related to the events of Sept. 11.

The Guelph, Ontario-based manufacturer had said in mid-September that it would extend the shutdown of all of its manufacturing facilities for two to four weeks.

The company will close its assembly facility in Wathena, Kan., effective Dec. 21, subject to completion of specific work at the facility. The company will relocate its parts division to St. Charles, Ill.

“We have some short-term plans and some long-term plans to make this company profitable in the downturn we've experienced,” said James Hacking, CEO. “We've been working hard at things we need to do to rationalize, reduce our costs and look internally at what we can do to save money.”

Skyjack designs and manufactures a complete line of self-propelled scissor-type elevating work platforms and push-around personnel lifts.