Just over a week after a destructive tornado outbreak tore through southeast Nebraska and caused significant damage to the Garner Industries building on North 98th and Highway 6, the business has announced that 62 employees will be laid off.
“These layoffs are necessary for us to stay in business. This is an extremely difficult situation. These people are like family,” said CEO and President of Garner Industries Scott McLain in a press release.
Compensation, new employment assistance, and health benefits will be provided to workers affected by the layoff.
The EF3 tornado destroyed the entire 115,000-square-foot facility, including production, engineering, warehousing, inventory, and office space. Numerous machines and pieces of automation equipment were also destroyed.
The business is also seeking to relocate Garner’s BinMaster product line — instruments used to measure the contents of silos, tanks, and bins — to an alternate location in Lincoln. Approximately 70 employees will continue to be employed by the BinMaster operation.
A side-by-side comparison of the Darner Industries building, before and after sustaining significant tornado damage. (Courtesy: Garner Industries)