Posted Tuesday, October 14, 2008 --- 10:58 p.m.

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) -- Kohler Company permanently laid off 50 local workers Tuesday due to the slumping economy.

Kohler spokesman Todd Weber said 38 administrators and 12 production workers were notified Tuesday and let go immediately.

Kohler employs about 7,500 people in Sheboygan County. Weber said the layoffs were made due to the "overall weakened economy, fueled by the housing slump."

United Auto Workers Union Local 833 president Pete Behrensprung says they were aware layoffs were in the works. Behrensprung says it's Kohler's largest cut since laying off 160 permanent and about 30 temporary workers July 2007.

Kohler Company is the fourth-largest privately held company in Wisconsin and is most well-known for its kitchen and bath products among other things.