Cummins starts hiring freeze after slower sales

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Engine maker Cummins Inc. says it has instituted a global hiring freeze for at least the rest of this year with an uncertain impact on announced expansions of Indiana operations.

The move by the Columbus-based company comes after seeing a recent drop in sales in some of its markets in North America, China and Brazil. The company told The Republic newspaper on Wednesday that it was taking necessary steps to manage growth by reducing costs.

Cummins has seen substantial growth in recent years and says it has a record worldwide workforce of 46,200 people. Cummins has some 7,800 Indiana workers.

Company spokesman Jon Mills said he couldn’t discuss how the freeze would affect expansions of its Columbus offices or a $219 million project at its Seymour factory.