Another Round of Layoffs at Amsted

Amsted Rail, a ferrous foundry in Granite City, IL, will lay off 206 workers in March, according to local reports. The operation long identified as American Steel Foundries, and more recently as ASD-Keystone, has notified the Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity of its plan. Falling industrial demand and weak economic conditions generally are cited as reasons for Amsted’s downsizing. It’s the second time since January 1 that the Chicago-based producer of railcar castings has announced plans to reduce employment and scale down production. It plans to lay off 363 works in February 16. It also laid off 107 workers in August 2008 and 21 more in September. According to reports, until the current decline Amsted Rail employed about 1,000 workers.