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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 15, 1994                   TAG: 9406160013
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

IN BUSINESS

DUBLIN - ASC Inc. told workers Tuesday that the Michigan-based firm plans to leave Dublin Industrial Park, where the company set up shop less than a year ago.

The company makes interior trim components - including door and side panels - for Volvo-GM Heavy Truck Corp., one of the area's largest employers.

ASC has been renting two buildings in the former Burlington Industries site. "There was an announcement made in the plant about not renewing the lease," said Jack Stewart, spokesman at the company's Southgate, Mich., headquarters.

Stewart refused to say where the company would relocate its operation. He also had no comment on the fate of the plant's approximately 30 workers.

Local plant officials referred questions to Stewart.

Dublin Town Manager Gary Elander said he was surprised to hear reports that the company might be leaving town.

"They told me they were renewing the lease a few weeks ago," he said.

The lease expires July 31.

- Staff report

USAir aims to cut expenses $1 billion

USAir said Tuesday it plans to reduce its operating costs by more than $1 billion annually, beginning with 1996. Half of the amount would come from labor costs.

The Arlington-based airline, with nine daily flights and 198 employees at Roanoke, said it is seeking to lower costs in response to challenges from low-fare competitors on its East Coast routes.

The carrier is already in the process of implementing programs it estimates will reduce expenses by about $175 million in 1994 and more in the future, USAir Chairman Seth Schofield said in a statement.

Through pay and benefit cuts and higher productivity, USAir aims to reduce yearly labor costs by $500 million. The airline and its unions have been in negotiations over ways to cut expenses. Schofield said he is confident the cost-cutting plan can be achieved with employee support.

Other cost cutting will come from restructuring of the airline's maintenance organization, more productive scheduling of flight crews and aircraft, centralized cargo management and purchasing and potential use of outside catering.

- Staff report