WEATHERSFIELD TWP., Ohio -   A Trumbull County manufacturer that serves the aerospace industry is laying off 131 workers.

Howmet, formerly Arconic and RMI Titanium, confirmed on Friday that the layoffs are taking pace at the Warren Avenue plant due to what the company says has been a “significant reduction” in demand as a direct result of the economic impacts of COVID-19 on the aviation industry.

“This reduced customer demand has unfortunately made it necessary to reduce staffing,” said Howmet Senior Communications Manager, Paul Erwin who adds the company will continue to review customer demand to determine staffing needs.

The Howmet Structure Systems usually employs 600 people making titanium ingots and other products for aircraft parts.

The aerospace industry has been impacted by the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic. Travel restrictions around the world have prompted the airline industry to cancel flights on a massive scale.

The Weathersfield plant closed for three-day disinfection in April after two employees tested positive for COVID-19.