Southern Spars, the mast maker
owned by North Sails Inc., will close its
Minden manufacturing facility early next
year.
The company laid off 34 workers two
weeks ago.
"The economy isn't where it should
be," said Claude Cognian, general manager.
"Americas Cup is under way and we
have finished all the jobs. There just isn't
enough work."
The company's main plant in New
Zealand will expand to pick up the work
done by the Minden facility, said
Cognian.
In the meantime, North Sails,
Southern Spars' parent company next
door in Minden, has hired a few of the
laid-off workers, said Cognian.
Southern Spars makes made-to-order
masts for large sailboats. The bulk of its
business comes from the Americas Cup
sailing race. The company made masts for
eight of the 10 boats competing in last
month's Louis Vuitton race, a prelude to
the Americas Cup that determines which
team will compete against the current
holder of the Americas Cup next year.
About 45 workers remain at the plant,
but all will be let go in March or April
when the plant shuts its doors.
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