First Solar Inc. announces layoffs for 150 people in its North American plants

5/8/2013

First Solar Inc. will lay off 150 workers from its North American facilities as part of a global restructuring, most of them in administration.

The solar-panel manufacturer, which got its start in Toledo and is now based in Tempe, Ariz., operates a manufacturing facility in Perrysburg Township.

Steve Krum, a company spokesman, would not say how many people would be let go in Ohio, nor would he say whether the number would be significant.

“The cutbacks are going to be at facilities around the world,” he said. “We don’t disclose details like that.”

The Perrysburg location is First Solar’s only U.S. manufacturing facility.

Mr. Krum said the company has about 1,700 employees in the United States and 5,200 worldwide.