MONTGOMERY— Workers at a Lamar County company will soon learn new skills to boost their job performance with the help of a $49,800 grant awarded by Gov. Bob Riley.

The grant will pay a portion of the cost to train 150 employees at Vernon-based Marathon Equipment Co. in methods to improve the company’s efficiency. Workers who complete the training will increase their earning potential.

“In today’s economy, maintaining a highly skilled, efficient workforce is a key to business survival,” Riley said.  “I am pleased to assist Alabama workers improve their job security by increasing their skills.” 

Marathon manufactures waste-handling and recycling equipment. The training will focus on management techniques, production and quality control to help reduce waste in the production process. The company will contribute $125,256 toward the training cost.

Company officials estimate the training sessions, conducted over a seven-month period, will increase efficiency by 8 percent and sales by 10 percent.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available to Alabama by the U.S. Labor Department as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Riley notified K. Gene Laninack, the company’s chief financial officer, that he had approved the grant.  

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Contact: Mike Presley, Larry Childers