Great Plains Manufacturing announced Monday it is cutting 40 positions, or about 2.5 percent of its workforce.

In a statement sent to the Journal, company president Linda Salem wrote that the agricultural machinery market has been slowing for some time, and that the company’s strong market share has delayed the effect on employees until now.

Employees were notified of the layoffs on Monday.

Salem also wrote that the company has transferred several Great Plains division employees to its Land Pride division in an attempt to retain as many employees as possible.

Great Plains Manufacturing makes grain drills, tillage equipment and corn planters, and through its Land Pride division makes compact tractor implements and landscaping equipment. The company employs about 1,500 people in north-central Kansas and 100 overseas.