AMANA, Iowa (AP) -- A Whirlpool Corp. spokeswoman said Thursday that the company will lay off 440 workers, or more than 20 percent of the work force, at its Middle Amana plant.
Spokeswoman Jill Saletta says the layoffs are the result of sagging market conditions. The company informed workers of its plans Thursday.
The layoffs will comprise more than 20 percent of the more than 2,000 workers at the plant, which was part of Whirlpool's acquisition of Newton-based Maytag in 2006.
The majority of the cuts will be effective Oct. 20, with some coming a week earlier.
"It's a really tough time," Saletta said. "I'm fairly confident we're not the only ones."
The plant produces bottom-freezer refrigerators sold under Whirlpool, Amana, Maytag and other brand names.