Alcoa cuts number of layoffs caused by closing plant

Alcoa Inc. says the shutdown of part of its aluminum manufacturing operations along the Ohio River in Indiana won't result in as many layoffs as first believed.

In a written statement released Wednesday, Alcoa Warrick Operations spokesman Jim Beck said the number of planned layoffs have been reduced from an estimated 600 to about 325. He said the reduction is due to transfers and inducements offered by the company.

Alcoa announced in January it would permanently close its Warrick Operations smelter by the end of March. Company officials noted at the time the smelter was not competitive because of a drop in prices.

The smelter makes alumina, which is a raw material used in the production of aluminum. Alcoa will continue operating its rolling mill and power plant at the 9,000-acre site, which employs about 1,100 people.