LEWISTON – Geiger, the 130-year-old Lewiston-based company that makes promotional products and publishes the famous Farmers’ Almanac, has laid off about 8 percent of its work force.

Geiger announced the layoffs last week. About 30 of its 400 workers, including managers, lost their jobs. The layoffs were companywide and included workers in Geiger’s Lewiston headquarters and throughout its 15 field offices across the country.

“To me it was trying to acknowledge what we think business is going to be like in 2009 and make sure that we right-size our work force so we’re ready for whatever the business is going to be,” said Peter Geiger, executive vice president.

The company also cut hours for its manufacturing employees. Those workers kept their benefits.

Geiger, one of the larger employers in the area, started noting a business slowdown soon after the stock market faltered in the fall.

“The (economic) recovery that everybody is hoping for, we’re not sure we’re going to see it in 2009,” Geiger said. “We just have to be sure we’re positioned correctly with staffing, just as everybody else is.”