WEST UNION - This town's largest employer is shutting down. Atwood Mobile Products told its 120 workers Tuesday that it would be closing within 60 days.

Elkhart, Ind.-based Atwood, which designs and manufactures an array of products for recreational vehicles, has been hit hard by the slowdown in the RV industry, which totaled 237,000 wholesale unit sales last year, down 33 percent from the 353,400 shipped in 2007.

The company employed a total of 2,700 workers at the end of 2007. It closed one of its Elkhart plants last year, putting 150 people out of work.

"It's very unfortunate for the community and the employees," the West Union Chamber of Commerce and Fayette County Economic Development office said in a prepared statement. "Atwood has been a major employer in West Union for many years. Our office is working closely with (Iowa) Workforce Development to assure the best possible assistance for the affected employees and their families."

Atwood has operated a plant in West Union for about the last 30 years, according to the chamber. The office said Atwood has been the town's largest employer.

Contact Jim Offner at (319) 291-1598 or jim.offner@wcfcourier.com.