Another mass layoff is in the offing for local workers, this time at the Kinston manufacturing plant of William Barnet & Son. The company is one of the oldest manufacturers in the country and has evolved into a global producer of synthetic materials.

The company late Friday notified the N.C. Department of Commerce that about 110 plant workers will lose their jobs in October as the company severely scales back operations. Since the extent of the layoffs is not clear, the company has warned all 163 employees that for personal planning purposes they should all assume their positions will be eliminated.

"This decision is mandated by a combination of conditions which are beyond our control," Ray Deane, plant general manager, wrote to the state commerce department.