Hope Star in Hope, Arkansas

Plant cuts production at Pine Bluff and Memphis plants

Standard Brake Shoe and Foundry, based in Pine Bluff, has curtailed production and trimmed staff at its Pine Bluff and Memphis plants. The Memphis facility now operates three days weekly, with over 50 workers laid off recently, bringing its payroll to about 190. Five Pine Bluff supervisors were laid off, though many of the 42 laid off hourly workers have returned to work. No further layoffs are expected. The Pine Bluff plant makes steel casting products for oil and transportation industries and the Memphis plant makes cast iron railroad brake shoes.