ELYRIA: Invacare Corp. said Thursday it is eliminating 143 jobs because of limits on manufacturing at one of its Ohio facilities.
Invacare makes wheelchairs, crutches and motorized scooters. It has faced scrutiny from the Food and Drug Administration about facilities where it makes wheelchairs. The company said on Dec. 20 that it had reached an agreement with the FDA and that production at two sites in Ohio would be limited until inspectors certify that they are in compliance with FDA regulations.
The agreement limits Invacare’s manufacturing and distribution of power and manual wheelchairs and wheelchair components. The company said it can fill some orders, but design of wheelchairs and power beds will be limited. Invacare said Thursday that it will eliminate 143 hourly positions out of a total of 365 a facility in Elyria. It expects to take $1.3 million in one-time pretax restructuring charges related to the job cuts.
The cuts will reduce the company’s total staff by about 2 percent. Invacare said it will have about 6,050 employees after reductions, including around 1,050 in northeast Ohio.
Shares of Invacare declined 16 cents to $16.15 in midday trading.