KME, one of Carbon County’s largest employers, announced Monday that it has eliminated “less than 15 percent” of its total workforce.

A statement from the Nesquehoning-based fire truck manufacturer said that the cuts would take place at the company’s Nesquehoning and California facilities.

KME’s vice president and general manager, Brian Connely, said Monday that the decision was prompted by a need to stay competitive in an ever-changing market. He declined to say the exact number of employees affected.

Connely said the company remains committed to the Carbon County area and that demand for new fire trucks remains strong. He said the cuts were a strategic move and should allow the company to grow in the future.

“KME remains committed to our employees and our community. The actions that were taken will allow us to be strategic in our market as well as the ability to grow and seek future opportunities within our industry,” Connely said in a statement.

The terminated employees includes production and support employees.

KME is still the third largest employer in Carbon County, according to the Pa. Department of Labor and Industry. They have produced fire apparatus for the New York City, Los Angeles and Philadelphia fire departments, and have produced hundreds of fire trucks for the federal government. They have also sold fire trucks all over the world.

The company makes custom fire trucks from the frame up, building virtually the entire truck in-house at its Nesquehoning facility.

Founder John J. ‘Sonny’ Kovatch Jr. was already a successful businessman when his company started manufacturing fire trucks in Nesquehoning in the 1980s.

In 2016, the Kovatch family sold the company to REV Group, a publicly traded company which owns dozens of brands selling commercial, emergency and recreational vehicles.

As of last October, the company employed over 400 production employees at its 577,000 square foot Nesquehoning facility. Employees at the Nesquehoning facility include assemblers, drivers, electricians, machine operators, mechanics, painters, plumbers, welders and inspectors. The company also operates a smaller manufacturing facility in Roanoke, Va.

Connely said the employees who were laid off are welcome to apply for job openings if they become available.

“We will continue to make the necessary business decisions to ensure the future success of our employees and company, as well as our continued commitment to the entire area.