Lauth lays off 80 employees, 54 in Indy

Indianapolis-based developer Lauth Group laid off 80 people nationwide today, including 54 at its headquarters:

Developer Lauth Group Inc. today laid off 80 employees -- about 18 percent of its nationwide work force -- including 54 at its Indianapolis headquarters.

The company described the move as part of a 'realignment' that will help the nation�s 13th-largest developer continue to grow. About 90 percent of Lauth's business is outside Indiana. The company had 450 employees prior to the layoffs.

Most of the eliminated positions are in construction and engineering services, areas in which Lauth now plans to increase its reliance on third parties. The company has about 30 projects totaling 7 million square feet under construction.

'These changes make us better positioned to meet the needs of our clients and post double-digit volume growth in 2008 despite a slowing economy,' Lauth CEO Robert Lauth said in a statement.