Reports of layoffs following the recent purchase of a long-time Council Bluffs manufacturing plant, has City officials scrambling to keep the company open and its employees retained. The Omaha World-Herald says three employees of Griffin Pipe Products who declined to give their names, said they were placed on layoff status, Friday.

It was announced earlier in the week that U.S. Pipe and Foundry of Birmingham, Alabama had acquired a majority financial interest in Griffin Pipe. Griffin is a leading manufacturer of water transmission products for North American distributors, contractors, and municipalities. Mike Tuttle, human resources manager at the Council Bluffs plant, declined to comment.

Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh said city officials will do everything possible to keep the Griffin Pipe Products Co. open and fully employed. Walsh estimated that about 250 people work at the local plant.