Cedar Rapids plant to stop manufacturing in October

A Cedar Rapids heavy equipment plant that survived the June 2008 flood will stop manufacturing products at the end of October.

McLanahan/Universal, 800 First Ave. NW, produces equipment for the aggregate and mining industries. The company employs about 50, but the end of manufacturing will cost 15 people their jobs.

McLanahan Corp. of Hollidaysburg, Pa. bought Universal Engineering in January 2012.

George Sidney, McLanahan president and chief operating officer, said five or six employees may transfer to a plant in Des Moines. Sidney said the manufacturing operation accounts for less than 25 percent of the Cedar Rapids operation.

Sidney attributed the decision to reduced industry spending.

'This is a direct result of the Obama administration and regulations that he has put in place that has crippled the industries we serve,” Sidney told KCRG-TV9. 'People are not investing in infrastructure and mining operations.”