Emerson Computer Power Lays Off 31; Recession Blamed

Emerson Computer Power, a manufacturer of power-supply systems, laid off 31 of its 411 employees after moving its offices last week from Santa Ana to Irvine, a company spokesman said Wednesday.

The layoffs included 26 hourly employees and five managers, company spokesman Tim Beecher said.

“The company is facing poor business conditions brought about by the recession,” Beecher added.

The company, a division of St. Louis-based Emerson Electric Co., makes so-called uninterruptible power supplies, which protect electronic equipment from sudden power surges or failures.

Since April, 1990, the company has shrunk from 580 employees as a result of several consolidations.