General Dynamics Land Systems Canada has laid off 48 salaried staff, about two per cent of its entire workforce.

“It was done to maintain our competitive position in a competitive global environment,” spokesperson Doug Wilson-Hodge said Thursday.

The cuts were made after an internal evaluation and not connected to any contract news, he said.

The company employs about 2,000 staff, with 500 of them unionized. No union jobs were lost, he said.

“We don’t have any plans for additional workforce reductions,” Wilson-Hodge said.

“We certainly regret the impact the actions have had on the employees affected and their families.”

The employees have been provided packages, including some benefits, to ease the transition into new jobs, he said.

In February, the armoured vehicle manufacturer was awarded a $404 million contract to upgrade Canadian vehicles at its Oxford Street plant.