One of Raymond’s largest employers, SPX Communication Technology based off Route 121, laid off 46 employees last week.

Formerly known as Dielectric Communications and originally founded in 1942 by Raymond resident Dr. Charles Brown, the antenna maker laid off 31 employees in December 2009 after helping with the transition to digital TV. The company now operates with a workforce of 95 employees at its Tower Road, Raymond location.

Company spokesperson Kim Augsburger said those losing their jobs Friday, July 29, worked in sales, manufacturing and support roles. They have been offered severance packages, Augsburger said. She said the cuts were made “in order to adjust to the challenging business environment in telecommunications.”

SPX, which acquired Dielectric in 1998, is a leading manufacturer of antenna systems for radio, mobile media, television and wireless communications technology. It is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., and has 15,500 employees in more than 35 countries worldwide.

Despite SPX’s worldwide presence, the company’s local layoffs will impact the area’s economy, says Don Willard, Raymond’s town manager.

“Losing one job is bad news. Losing 46 jobs is really bad news for the economy of the Lakes Region,” Willard said. “It’s definitely unfortunate they had to make the cuts here in Raymond, but I just hope there is a reversal in the future and that these jobs come back when the economy improves.”

According to town records for 2010, SPX Communications paid $63,647 in personal property and real estate taxes to the town.