Wellsville NY is no stranger the words “layoff,” and for many it brings back memories and some anxiety.
Reports of jobs being lost at Ljungstrom (formerly Alstom and formerly ABB/Air-Preheater,) started swirling around Wellsville earlier this month. Reports turned in to rumors and our readers started asking the natural questions; How many lost jobs? Would there be more cuts ?
We asked company officials for some answers and a spokesperson provided this:
Statement from LJUNGSTRӦM
The LJUNGSTRӦM Wellsville facility recently completed the last of four offshore wind contracts that generated significant growth for the company over the past three and a half years. Unfortunately, the current market for offshore wind is facing significant challenges due to economic and political uncertainties, leading to a recent reduction in our workforce. Our traditional air preheater business remains strong, and we will continue to focus on new opportunities to grow our business. We remain committed to our people and the local community.
When asked for more detail about the number of jobs lost in recent months the company declined to comment further. Employees who we have spoken with estimate the job losses to be approximately forty-five individuals between manufacturing and office positions.
In recent years the facility celebrated the start of work on the Revolution Wind and South Fork offshore wind projects. Senator Charles Schumer has visited Wellsville numerous times announce that large contracts were on the way and Governor Kathy Hochul announced in 2021 that hundreds of jobs were on the way. Read some of John Anderson’s reporting at the time:
The projects have taken different turns since 2023. South Fork Wind is now the nation’s first operational large -scale off-shore wind farm. Revolution Wind is nearing completion but has been hampered by politics and legal battles.
