Industrial oven manufacturer Turkington USA, which moved its manufacturing plant to Clayton just two and a half years ago, is shutting down the facility and laying off 101 people.
The company detailed the layoffs in a notice filed Monday with the N.C. Department of Commerce. The notice said a temporary receiver has been appointed to wind down or sell the business.
Turkington officials could not immediately be reached for comment this afternoon. The announcement marks a quick fall for the business, which is the U.S. subsidiary of United Kingdom-based Turkington Industries.
Turkington relocated its manufacturing plant from Goldsboro to Clayton in the fall of 2009. The move was made possible by a $324,000 grant from the N.C. Rural Center, the money used to renovate a former plastic components manufacturing facility in east Clayton.
Steve Biggs, Clayton's town manager, said the town contributed no money to the project, as it is outside the city limits.
About 110 employees relocated to Clayton from Goldsboro, and Turkington executives said at the time of the move that they expected to hire about 35 new employees.
Turkington makes custom-built commercial bakery equipment, including ovens, mixers and coolers. The large ovens can make up to 12,000 loaves of bread an hour.
Business reporter David Bracken came to the N&O in 2004. He covers commercial and residential real estate. Contact David at 919-829-4548 or