‘Punch to the gut’- DuPont to cut 1,700 in Delaware

The ax is swinging today at DuPont’s Delaware offices as employees were told 1,700 Delaware workers would be cut.

DuPont CEO Ed Breen made the announcement in an memo to workers Tuesday morning. The cuts come as part of DuPont’s $700 million belt tightening effort ahead of its planned merger with Dow Chemical which was announced earlier this month.

“This terrible news comes as a punch to the gut as we’re closing out the year,” said Congressman John Carney, D-Delaware. “This isn’t about bottom lines or shareholder value for us — it’s about our friends and neighbors whose lives are being turned upside down.”

Governor Jack Markell called the announcement deeply disappointing, “Especially to the thousands of Delawareans who helped this company grow and succeed for generations.” Markell said the state will do what it can to help those affected.”

Announced along with the layoffs was DuPont’s plans to keep its specialty products business based in Delaware. Markell was buoyed by the companies decision. “We look forward to doing all that we can to promote the success of that business and will continue to urge DuPont and Dow to see the value of locating other businesses here in Delaware, where they have grown and succeeded in the past,” Markell said in a statement.

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You can read Breen’s letter to DuPont workers below: