Caterpillar dealers Walker Machinery and Whayne Supply last week announced they will lay off 165 employees between them, primarily as a result of a downturn in the coal industry, the companies said.
Whayne Supply, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., is one of the oldest Caterpillar dealers in the United States, and one of the largest with 17 facilities in 16 cities in Kentucky and southern Indiana. In addition to Caterpillar equipment, parts, service, sales and rental, Whayne Supply Co. is also a dealer for Genie, Sullair, Massey Ferguson and others.
“Due to deterioration in our traditional markets in the eastern Kentucky area and coal industry, with no signs of future improvement for some time, Whayne Supply Co. has to make the difficult decision to right size our locations and support center affected by these conditions,” wrote Monty Boyd, Whayne president and CEO on the company’s website. “This action includes a layoff of 87 employees, or approximately 7 percent of the current Whayne Supply employee workforce.
Boyd, also the owner of Walker Machinery, made a similar statement on Walker’s website. Walker Machinery was founded in West Virginia in 1950. The company has facilities in nine cities in West Virginia and southeastern Ohio. Walker Machinery is laying off 78 employees.
“Prior to this announcement, the company has worked to reduce expenses and has made opportunities available for employees to move into positions in other areas of the company with relocation packages provided,” the statement said. Walker Machinery Co. is also the local dealer for Sullair, Genie, Wacker, Allmand, Challenger and others.
