The Huber Engineered Woods plant in Spring City, Tenn., has laid off 54 workers due to the ongoing worldwide financial crisis and the downturn in the U.S. housing market.

“The plant will remain operational, albeit minimally, for the foreseeable future with a staff of 26,” said Robert Currie, a vice president for J.M. Huber Corp.

He said Huber made every effort to avoid the action. However, Mr. Currie said, the drastic decline in housing starts and overall economic downturn has created unprecedented challenges to Huber and the overall housing industry.