Pelco laying off 43 workers

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- One of the Valley's biggest employers is laying off workers. Pelco is shrinking its workforce in Clovis.

Pelco is handing out 43 pink slips this week, most of them in Clovis where the engineering team works.

Action News spoke with CEO Sharad Shekhar who said the parent company -- Schneider Electric, which bought Pelco about eight years ago-- is narrowing its technology focus. He said they'll be spending the same amount of money, but focusing on fewer products, which means some of these engineers won't be needed any more.

He said they'll get full severance packages and help finding work.

This is the latest in a long series of layoffs at Pelco since Schneider took over. The Clovis City Managers Office tells Action News Pelco once employed more than 2000 people. That number is now down around 1100.

Our reporter asked the CEO if this company is still committed to Clovis and he said it absolutely is. In fact, he said some of the decisions they've made as they've shrunk will keep them here for years to come.