ANSONIA, Conn. -- One of Ansonia's largest companies is laying off nearly all of its workforce.

Ray McGee, president of Ansonia Copper and Brass, said it wasn't an easy decision, but it was one that he had no choice but to make.

This week McGee told his 102 employees that he is laying off more than 80 of them.

While McGee said the announcement didn't come as a shock, the employees expressed concerns.

"He said to me, 'Ray, what do I do now? I'm 53 years old, and I worked in a factory all of my life -- that's all I know. Retraining is not a practical thing for me,'" McGee said.

The layoffs are the second round for Ansonia Cooper and Brass.

McGee said the cutbacks come as a result of rising energy costs and the increased price of raw materials.

He said federal trade agreements make it difficult for him to be competitive with other countries.

The business is the largest employer in Ansonia and people in the community were devastated to hear the news.

"A lot of businesses have closed over the past several years," said Derby resident George Kurtyka. "Now to lose them, it's pretty tough with the economy. It's going to even be worse now for the people."

McGee called the layoffs permanent.

"Once these jobs go away … they're not going to be replaced," he said.