Cummins Plans Layoffs at Indiana Pickup-Engine Plant

Diesel engine maker Cummins Inc. plans to temporarily lay off 125 workers from its midrange engine plant in Indiana because of declining pickup truck demand, the Associated Press reported Monday.

The layoffs likely will last from Sunday through mid-August, a company spokesman told AP.

Cummins, Columbus, Ind., employs between 900 and 1,000 people at the plant, AP reported.

Cummins is the exclusive producer of 6.7-liter diesel engines for the Dodge Ram pickup truck, and the layoffs will last until Cummins starts making engines for the 2009 models, AP said.

Cummins is asking for layoff volunteers and encouraging employees to use vacation time at the start of the roughly 10-week period, AP reported. It will provide regular health benefits during the layoffs.