Force Protection to lay off 120 workers

File photo of vehicle made by Force Protection

AP
Published: October 1, 2009

An armored vehicle maker in South Carolina will lay off 120 workers to try to save $40 million a year.

Force Protection Inc. of Ladson said Wednesday it has a new strategy that doesn’t require as many workers.

The company is working to diversify to include support and maintenance services for its existing fleet of armored vehicles, many of which are used in combat zones in Iraq.

Force Protection also has developed accessories to make the vehicles better able to withstand explosions.

Force Protection has lost recent bids for contracts to provide lighter-weight vehicles that can navigate the steep, rocky terrain in Afghanistan.

The cuts represent about 10 percent of Force Protection’s work force.

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Flag Comment Posted by Cappy on October 01, 2009 at 11:15 am

120 Workers suffered for a 40 million reduction. Think about this then. Why was there an increase just before layoffs given to excutives? One in particular tripled in his salary going from $450,000 a year to 1.39 million. With a kicker bonus. For the price to be had for our Military who saves our lives each and everyday, for some who forget so easy what this is all about.

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