Dayton man lays off his own son

Hyland Screw Machine Products was founded in 1928 by Dan Hyland's great-grandfather. Being the fourth generation, it was his greatest pleasure to hire his 19-year-old son last year, but tough times have come down hard on the shop floor.

"It's been in the Dayton area and has been family owned. Always has been and always will be, God willing," said Hyland, Vice President of Hyland Screw Machine Products. "It's been very difficult to take. It's hard to see a lot of the people I've worked with for so many years to have to be at home."

Automotive parts, such as steering hubs, make up 70 percent of Hyland's business, so while GM struggles, so do Hyland's part orders. Each month, he and his father, president of the company, evaluate the business and lay off more if necessary. Among the first workers to be sent home was Hyland's son.

"When things started getting difficult for us, he was one of our last hired employees, so in all fairness, he had to be one of the first things to go, and that was difficult to do," said Hyland.

Hyland discussed the issue with his son, but the latest generation had a surprise for his father.

He saw sons of other folks who worked here also get laid off and he said he didn't feel comfortable staying here under those circumstances, so we decided together that it would be best for him not to be here," Hyland said.

An admirable decision - something Hyland says he hopes his son can bring back to the family business some day.

"I'm very proud of my son, and I love him very much and it was very mature of him to have the point of view to do that," said Hyland.

Hyland's son is a student at Wright State University, and will hopefully have an opportunity to come back to the family business when the economy turns around, Hyland said.