PORT ANGELES — Armstrong Marine Inc. has put 15 employees on temporary standby because of delayed government and commercial contracts, company officials have announced.
The Port Angeles-based aluminum-boat fabricator plans to bring those people back to work “as soon as possible,” company spokeswoman Melissa Leary said Monday.
Armstrong Marine, which supports about 65 local jobs, announced last December that it was building a manufacturing plant near Swansboro, N.C.
Leary said the temporary reduction of the workforce is not the result of the recent expansion.
“We are very proud of the exceptional team we have assembled at Armstrong, including skilled tradesmen and management personnel,” Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Cory Armstrong said in a news release.
“We anticipate bringing everyone back on board as soon as possible.”
Armstrong’s facility at 151 Octane Lane between Port Angeles and Sequim is the original operation plant and serves as the corporate headquarters.
With a main production shop and two support facilities there, the fully-equipped Port Angeles plant is “vital” to Armstrong’s production in the Pacific region, company officials said.
In announcing the new plant, company President and CEO Josh Armstrong said it would result in 200 jobs in North Carolina and about 50 new jobs in Port Angeles over the next five years.
Because of the expansion, Armstrong Marine is “strategically positioned to expand its market penetration on the Eastern Seaboard and internationally,” company officials said.
“However, Port Angeles will continue to be vital to the overall strategy and success of Armstrong Marine.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
