The confirmation of job losses at the Lebec-based agribusiness and land development company came in response to an inquiry that was prompted by an anonymous report of recent layoffs.
The company's statement, issued by spokesman Barry Zoeller, contained no indication of how many employees were actually let go, or when. It said the e-mail was "all we're going to say about it."
The statement reads: "Regrettably, extended adverse economic conditions have made it necessary for Tejon Ranch to reduce its full time workforce by about six percent.
"Tejon Ranch will continue to aggressively pursue the marketing and development of Tejon Industrial Complex and the entitlement of its proposed communities of Tejon Mountain Village and Centennial. The Ranch's historic businesses activities -- ranching, farming, hunting and oil and gas extraction -- will also be unaffected."
On Wednesday, Tejon shares closed at $22.80, above its 52-week low of $18.40 but well below its recent high of $44.36 about a year ago.
Last year Tejon reported net income of $4.1 million, down from $7.3 million in 2007 but up from a $2.7 million loss in 2006.
Tejon is Kern's only company trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
To see more of The Bakersfield Californian, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.bakersfield.com. Copyright (c) 2009, The Bakersfield Californian Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

More News:
Market Updates |
Stock Alerts |
All Trading News |
Stock Index