Officials at Philips Respironics, a medical equipment manufacturer that produces ventilators and sleeping equipment, confirmed Friday that the company plans to close the sleep and respiratory care services at its East Huntingdon facility.
A spokeswoman for the international manufacturer said the shutdown is part of an ongoing effort to “enhance the repair services experience for our customers worldwide.”
The Dutch-owned company, which manufacturers ventilators at facilities in Murrysville and Upper Burrell, expanded its workforce at those facilities when demand for its products peaked early in the pandemic.
Philips spokeswoman Silvie Casanova declined to say exactly how many jobs will be eliminated in the service center consolidation, saying only that it will be under 100. She said the company notified employees of plans to cease providing services at the site in mid-January and plans to complete the shutdown there in phases between April and October.
Although repair services will no longer be offered at the site, Casanova said the company plans to retain about 150 employees who will continue to provide Sleep and Respiratory care distribution services there.
“Philips is working closely with affected employees to carefully manage the transition and ensure appropriate assistance and resources are available,” Casanova said.
Westmoreland County Planning Director Jason Rigone said Philips did not inform his office of its plans.
“We, as a county, would certainly be interested in supporting and assisting those employees who were affected to ensure there are appropriate resources available to them during the transition,” Rigone said.
