Company Lays Off Bartlesville Workers, Considers Temporary Shutdowns

An international company is reducing its workforce in Bartlesville and considering temporary shutdowns of its facility there.

ABB Totalflow wouldn't give an exact number of Bartlesville workers it's laying off, saying only that it's less than five percent of the workforce. But the company said it's considering closing its facility in Bartlesville three times this year for one week each time.

In a new release, ABB said the shutdowns will be canceled if economic conditions in the oil and gas industry improve:

"These shutdowns will occur if the production demand does not improve accordingly. In the event that it becomes necessary to implement a shutdown, employees will be provided the opportunity to use vacation and floating holidays or take the time off without pay. The need to take a shutdown will be continually monitored and canceled if business conditions improve sufficiently."

The ABB group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people. Its Bartlesville facility supplies the oil and gas industry with measurement and automation products. 

“The employees and management of ABB remain committed to serving our customers and the North American market through the team in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. We look forward to a stronger economy in the months and years to come,” said Gayle Lester, General Manager of the Bartlesville-based operation.

10/22/2014 Related Story: Bartlesville Company Doubles In Size, To Add 250 Jobs