Argus Tells Layoff Plans

Argus Tells
Layoff Plans

Will Idle 300 By Dec. 15;
Firm Gets Defense Pact

Argus Cameras Division manufacturing operations in

today ^Idtlmt It Will have ^Tn'dTcated that the recent
laid Off some 300 em- opening of a new Argus pro.'

ployes here by Dec. 15. It jector plant in Columbia, s. c.,
also announced the re- and the layoff of employes in

. n , n connection with transfer of pro-

ceipt of a new defense jector production to Colmubia

ntract. jmay have given rise to fears
Dr. Lee L. Davenport, Argus I concerning Argus' future here.
Vice-president and general man- j Dr. Davenport said Argus is
ager, who made the announce-1 "making every effort to im-
ments, reassured employes and, prove and strengthen" its Ann
the community that Argus "has Arbor operations.
every intention -of continuing Firm 'Encouraged'
its present camera and optical j The official declared that his
firm is "encouraged by the
possibility of securing addition-
al optical contracts which wiH
utilize more of our Ann Arbor
^employes."

Layoff of the 300 employes
(began several weeks ago and
'will continue until mid-Decem-
ber, Dr. Davenport said.

He indicated that a seasonal
downturn in camera sales, be-
sides the layoff due to transfer
of projector production to South
^Carolina, was a factor in the
depth of layoffs.

"Some of these employes wi"
be recalled when Argus and tl
rest of the photographic indu&-
iry expcripilc" thrir normal sea-
sonal inconit-'," Dr. Davenport
j said.

i He emphasized that no plans
^are being made to transfer :

,1 Argus' engineering or manage-
! ment operation out of Ann Ar-
bor, and reported that "wp will
continue to make ev irt
to bring increased bus-.-,,, ;iito
JAnn Arbor to provide addition-
lal employment here."
Other Job Sought
' Dr. Davenport said that Ar
gus has contacted every major
employer in the Ann Arbor area
'in an effort to help furloughed
employes find other positions.

Dr. Davenport announced that
Argus received a $385,000 con-
tract today from the U. S.
, Army's Detroit Ordnance Dis-
' trict for production of an addi-
tional 1,500 periscopes and 1,500
spare head assemblies.

The periscopes designed by
••Argus, are used on personnel
'. 'carriers and armored vehicles
and are part of a contract that
ultimately will total $750,000,
Dr. Davenport ?

He sees the c. as evi-
dence of Argus' renewed em-
iphasis on defense work, observ-'
.ing that production aspects will
'be carried on here. The work
will provide employment for up
to 50 employes, Dr. Davenport
said. J
Third Of Year J
. Argus' new defense contract
;i$ the third one for periscopes
the firm has received since last
year.

Production on this latest con-
tract will begin next month and
will continue for six months, Dr
Davenport said.