Cantonment Defense Contractor Cuts Jobs

May 2, 2015

A Cantonment defense contractor has furloughed a large part of its workforce.

Marianna Airmotive on Quintette Road placedĀ  employees on furlough Friday due to a slowdown in work for the government.

“Due to the current business environment and a slowdown of current and future orders, Marianna Airmotive Corporation is furloughing employees effective May 1, 2015,” a statement released Friday evening by the company said. “At this time, Marianna believes this condition will be temporary. The company is working with the Air Force in an attempt to keep operations running. We expect to be able to provide additional information updating Marianna Airmotive’s status within the next three weeks.”

Marianna Airmotive holds an Air Force contract to remanufacture, overhaul and make parts for the C-5, the large air cargo plane made in the country. A source in Washington said work has slowed for Marianna Airmotive due to the number of C-5’s coming out of service, and the Air Force needs more time to approve additional contracts. Within the next several weeks, that situation is expected to improve, putting people back to work at the Cantonment plant. The company has not closed, with some staff still working.

According to data from the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, Marianna Airmotive employed about 135 people.

The company was established in 1968 in Marianna and relocated to Cantonment in 1989. It was purchased by its existing owners in 1998.

Comments

3 Responses to “Cantonment Defense Contractor Cuts Jobs”

  1. Kimberly Miller on May 12th, 2015 8:28 am

    My husband was one of the ones laid off. I sure hope and pray that they do rehire them. It was the best job he has ever had and a wonderful place to work!! He loves working there!!

  2. Rufus Lowgun on May 2nd, 2015 11:05 am

    It looks like the government does create jobs after all. I hope those folks get back to work soon.

  3. Alex A on May 1st, 2015 7:24 pm

    Brings me back to the early 70’s when I worked at a Western Electric plant. During government contracts,we were at10,000 employs,in between contracts, down to 4,500 – 5,500. Do the math. 6-10 months would be the layoffs. Third time,I never went back over 3 years.