FRANKLIN — Franklin Equipment Co. has laid off 15 employees, citing bad economic conditions.

Clyde Parker, personnel manager for Franklin Equipment, said 15 employees were laid off on Wednesday and Thursday. The employees worked in support and production roles, and in the company’s machine shop.

“We’re bringing our manpower in line with our market conditions,” Parker said.

Parker said the company was trying to assist its former employees with health insurance questions and getting them set up with unemployment compensation.

The company, which was founded in 1962 in Franklin, manufactures diesel logging tractors, primarily for the timber harvesting industry.

Parker said the company would have 60 active employees in Franklin after the layoffs. The company also has a facility in Louisburg, N.C., and a foundry in Independence, Ore., which respectively employ 4 and 21 people. There were no layoffs at the other two facilities.

“We’re here. We’re doing business, just not as much as we want,” Parker said.