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Historic Genesee County shoe manufacturer looks at possible layoffs

An historic Genesee County company has filed a notice with the NYS Labor Department indicating the possibility of anywhere from 42 to 82 layoffs.

P.W. Minor, a shoe manufacturer in Batavia, is more than 150 years old, and it has been through some financial ups and downs in the last several years.

The company’s vice president of sales, Brian Benedict, tells WXXI News that the notice had to be filed with the state as a legal requirement while the company seeks additional investors. He says the company is trying to restructure and the hope is to save as many jobs as possible.

But Benedict indicated the layoffs are not a sure thing. He says they will have more clarity on the situation by the close of business on Thursday. Benedict described the situation as very “fluid” right now. The company's employees

P.W. Minor almost closed a few years ago before two businessmen, Peter Zeliff and Andrew Young bought the company.

Earlier this year, the company was sold to Tidewater + Associates, a Delaware based investment company.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.