Oscar Awards Manufacturer R.S. Owens Laying Off 95 Employees

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 6, 2012 5:00PM

R.S. Owens, the Chicago company that manufactures statues for the Academy Awards and Emmy Awards is laying off 95 employees, effective Dec. 17.

The layoffs were revealed in the latest report from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and reflects more than a third of the company’s workforce. Layoff notices were sent out Nov. 19 and the layoff date coincides with R.S. Owens is taken over by Indianapolis-based St. Regis Crystal Inc.

St. Regis bought R.S. Owens last month. R.S. Owens said in a statement announcing the deal they would continue to make Oscar statues in their Northwest side facility, while the company's fulfillment of catalog items will be sent to St. Regis.

In addition to the Oscars and Emmys, R.S. Owens also makes statues for the MTV Music Awards, American Idol, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and fashions trophies and awards for other awards ceremonies and sporting events.

R.S. Owens makes between 50-60 of the 13-inch high, eight-pound statues every year. Here's a video showing the manufacturing process.