Paragon Industries Inc has announced that it will lay off at least 105 more people in Sapulpa and Muskogee in July 2009.

Mr Romine HR director at Paragon Industries said that "These job losses are directly related to the massive amount of Chinese pipe that is being allowed to be imported and sold in the United States."

Mr Romine said that Paragon started cutting costs in January but could not keep up with downward trends in the market. Since then, the company has eliminated more than 285 positions.

The newest round of layoffs includes 90 production workers and 15 support staff from Paragon’s remaining 180 employees. About 10 layoffs are coming at the Muskogee plant. Affected employees will be able to work until about July 13th 2009.

Paragon officials said they have seen increasing competition from China since about 2002, when the Asian nation increased steel production and exports to the United States.