Two metro companies announced Wednesday the layoffs of more than 400 employees.

The ADT Security Services call center in Papillion is being closed, putting 380 employees out of work. The Omaha World-Herald cut 51 people from its staff, blaming the economy and higher transportation and production costs.

ADT says technological advances have put them in a position to consolidate the call center in Papillion with centers in Jacksonville, Aurora, Colorado, Kansas City and Rochester, New York.

The consolidation is scheduled to be complete by March 2009. Sources tell Channel 6 News layoffs will occur in two waves, one in January and the second in early March.

"This transition will be invisible to ADT customers much like during a significant event such as a hurricane or blizzard that impacts one of our centers," said Ann Lindstrom, director of corporate communications.

"In those circumstances, emergency alarm signals can be redirected to the ADT center best able to handle the signals."

Affected employees have been given a chance to apply for positions at other ADT facilities. The closure does not impact the sales office in Omaha.

Meanwhile, layoffs were also announced by the Electrolux washer and dryer plant in Webster City, Iowa where 99 workers will be out of work by Friday.

Electrolux spokesman Tony Evans blames the layoffs on a softening demand for appliances. The plant employs about 1,400 people.

Electrolux announced in 2006 that it would eliminate 700 jobs in Webster City because production of its front-loading washing machines and companion dryers was to move to Mexico. Those layoffs haven't happened yet.