A weak economy was cited again for the elimination of 20 more office jobs and other salary positions at Greenville-based Werner Co.

The second round of salaried staff cuts were effective this week, said John Guyton, director of human resources.

Guyton cited a "softening market" as the reason for the job cuts.

The same reason was cited for 20 other salaried jobs eliminated in early May.

The 40 job cuts bring the number of office and other salaried positions down to about 360. The aluminum extrusions and ladder maker employs 1,100 at its Sugar Grove Township plant. The total employment includes plant workers as well as salaried employees.

The cuts come six months after the company and United Steelworkers of America Local 373-01 signed a new labor contract.

The cuts were "based on the position needs of the company," Guyton said.

Workers whose jobs were eliminated received benefit packages, which included severance pay, extension of health-care benefits and support in finding another job, he said.

InvestCorp, a Middle East investors group with offices in New York City, owns the majority of stock in Werner Co.

Eric Werner, company vice president, responded with a flat "no" when asked if InvestCorp was preparing Werner Co. for an initial public stock offering.