WILTON – Nichols Welding has laid off 75 percent of its work force at least through August, said President Gil Reed on Wednesday. It could last longer, he said.

The layoff is due to delayed military payments, Reed said.

An April order for 20 trailers for tanks is complete. The trailers are sitting, waiting for the military to work out the logistics of where in the United States they are supposed to be sent, he said. Eventually, the tank trailers are to be forwarded to Afghanistan.

The order represents a $250,000 for the company.

Summer work can be slow, he said, but this summer has been worse than normal. The company is using the time to regroup. He said he hopes the layoff will not extend beyond August.

“On a good note,” Reed said, “the company is expecting to sign a contract with Canada in the very near future to supply their trailer needs.”