WATERTOWN — New York Air Brake said Friday it has retained 25 jobs as part of a restructuring plan that includes starting operations of a brake line at the company’s Starbuck Avenue plant.
In a press release, NYAB announced that it had completed the second half of its decision to restructure its operations and move part of its manufacturing, assembly and test operations from Watertown to other sites in America. North.
In September, the company announced 125 layoffs and that it would move manufacturing to a new plant in Mexico. The number of jobs lost was 99.
But production in Watertown will continue with a new North American transit-based disc brake venture.
NYAB’s parent company, manufacturing giant Knorr-Bremse Group, is moving some of its manufacturing of the disc brake product from Germany to operations in Watertown.
The company will retain 25 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers as part of the Watertown manufacturing operations under the disc brake line.
“NYAB’s relationship with IAM Local 761 remains strong and mutually beneficial. We look forward to working together as we begin to shape our Watertown operations for the future,” according to the company’s statement.
Local economic development officials said the company plans to bring the line to Watertown in 2023.
The disc brake line will also serve as a catalyst for job growth in the years to come, according to company officials.
Throughout its history, NYAB has continued to evolve its overall manufacturing approach to better serve its customers and align production closer to the final assembly point.
The company – which got its start in the city more than 130 years ago – remains committed to Watertown, NYAB officials said.
Watertown will continue to be the company’s headquarters and “engineering center of excellence”.
In total, the company will continue to employ more than 200 people in finance, sales and marketing, human resources, quality, customer service, engineering, testing, systems and software engineering, as well as other administrative and support functions.
NYAB has thanked departing employees affected by the company’s reorganization, company officials said.
“Throughout this transition, NYAB employees have conducted themselves with dignity and professionalism, while continuing to produce train components to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations,” company officials said.
As part of the reorganization, 14 employees left the company in January, with the remaining 84 laid-off workers terminating their jobs this week, said Cheryl A. Mayforth, director of the county’s employment and training department. of Jefferson at The Workplace.
“We’ve certainly worked with those who have lost their jobs, but we’re certainly optimistic about the future of the business,” Ms Mayforth said.
