Mid America Brick hopes winter work stoppage will be temporary

MEXICO — Mid America Brick of Mexico, Mo., announced Tuesday that it will suspend brick production and lay off most of the company's 34 hourly workers due to the winter season and economic conditions, Vice President David Adams said. 

Most of the 34 employees will stop working Dec. 9. It is not certain how many will be laid off, Adams said, but a few will remain to do inventory, construction projects, shipping and sales.

The company produces face brick and sells to distributors throughout the Midwest. It will continue to supply small orders, but it will only sell inventory. 

Both Adams and Frank Cordie, Mid America Brick's president and CEO, said the company is not closing production permanently. 

"This is normal in the face brick industry because there is not a lot of building going on in the winter, particularly in the northern states," Adams said.

Once the company sells its supply of inventory, it will restart the production line, he said.

Adams said it was normal for contractors who don't have inside work to lay off builders during the winter season, but the company's orders were also down because of the economy. 

He said he hopes production will resume shortly after the first of the year.