ROANOKE TRUCKING FIRM LAYS OFF 22

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, January 5, 1993                   TAG: 9301050020
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: George Kegley (Staff)
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
ROANOKE TRUCKING FIRM LAYS OFF 22
Blue Ridge Transfer Co. said Monday it has laid off 22 employees while talks continue to sell the trucking company to Lily Transportation Corp. of Needham, Mass.
The Roanoke company, primarily a hauler for the furniture industry, said layoffs are part of a continuing restructuring to improve efficiency and tobalance personnel needs with demand. Blue Ridge President Jack Stanley Jr. said he had no choice but to reduce the work force.
The layoffs, effective Thursday, affected drivers, clerks, mechanics, warehouse employees and managers, the company said.
Stanley said progress is being made on the sale to Lily and he expects the transaction to close this month.
Three weeks ago, the company said its drivers would work out of its Henry County terminal, leaving only about 45 office workers in Roanoke. But that plan has not been implemented, pending closing of the sale.
Drivers have complained they have no information on the new owner's plans. On Dec. 2, Lily said it had reached an agreement to buy Blue Ridge for an unreported price.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB