LAKE MILLS, Iowa — Employees at Cummins Filtration Plant in Lake Mills were notified earlier this month that a final round of layoffs will be delayed until spring 2011.

Human Resources Manager Beth Nygard said the delay was based on increased customer demand and the need to continue providing support to operations. Employees were told Oct. 1.

The move has been delayed to the second business quarter of 2011, which will be during the April through June timeframe, she said.

The company first announced in August 2009 that it would be transferring all filter assembly operations in Lake Mills to its facility in San Luis, Potosi, Mexico. This was slated to occur by the end of 2009.

That timeline was later extended to May 2010, December 2010 and now into 2011.

According to Nygard, the Lake Mills plant currently employs 350 people. After assembly operations are transferred, they will continue to employ 140 people locally.

Nygard said employee response to this delay has been positive.

“The majority were excited to continue employment for a longer amount of time,” she said.

Nygard said the company has continued to work to accommodate employees and provide what they need as delays have occurred.