Conway layoffs cut deep

Bus plant part of city since ’33

IC Corp. worker Bill Traffanstedt, 39, and his granddaughter, Ivy Sutterfield, 6, sit on the porch of their Atkins home Friday. Traffanstedt has worked at the Conway bus plant for 18 years.

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For weeks, rumors flew down the assembly line at one of the city’s oldest employers - a bus plant that’s been tightly woven into the fabric of Conway since 1933.

One grim prediction repeatedly circulated at IC Corp.: “They’re gonna shut it down. They’re gonna shut it down.”

Ever since IC Corp. opened a new plant in Tulsain 2000, the operation in Conway had slowed down. Big orders went to Tulsa, and the number of buses assembled in Conway kept dropping.

About noon Thursday, supervisors told employees that there would be a meeting at 4:15 p.m.

Most everyone knew what that meant.

The company Dave Ward founded back in 1933, with only $125 in hand ...

Mayor Tab Townsell said the Conway facility will remain opened "but with a much reduced workforce. About 1,100 people work at the factory, making it one of Conway's largest employers.

Over 400 layoffs due soon at Conway bus plant

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This article was published November 7, 2009 at 5:26 a.m.

Front Section, Pages 1 on 11/07/2009

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Conway layoffs cut deep

Bus plant part of city since ’33

Over 400 layoffs due soon at Conway bus plant

Comments on Conway layoffs cut deep