Stoughton Trailers has notified the state Department of Workforce Development that it could have "mass layoffs," starting Feb. 2 or later. But Patrice Gillespie, vice president of human resources, said the notice is just a contingency plan, in case of a worst-case scenario.

"We do not wish to execute it," Gillespie said. "We're not closing; we're not going away."

Stoughton Trailers already consolidated nearly all of its operations at its Stoughton plant earlier this year, leaving only a handful of workers at its Brodhead factory. Total employment at the company — which makes vans, platform trailers, grain haulers and flatbeds — is about 500. The company is the fourth-largest truck-trailer manufacturing business in North America.

Company officials have called a news conference for today to explain their plans.