FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) — The Rheem heating and air plant in Fort Smith has laid off 125 workers on its furnace line.
The layoff is in addition to a planned shutdown during the holidays that will keep the plant's 1,000 workers idle for three weeks.
The Atlanta-based company cited a downturn in demand for heaters, brought in part by the housing slump and by warmer weather.
Officials in Fort Smith point to new employers opening in the region, including a new pet food plant and a barge-building businesses.