Most manufacturers are shedding employees during this prolonged economic downturn, but not ammunitions maker DSE Inc.

Bob Gall, manager of DSE's Gaffney facility, said the company has begun the lengthy process of interviewing potential employees and hopes to begin hiring up to 25 workers by mid- to late- September. That number could double by early 2010 and increase to 75 within a year. Nearly all the hirees will work on the production line, Gall said.

Pending federal government approval, that production line could be operational in early October.

The Florida-based manufacturer is spending $25 million to convert the former National Textiles plant on Hwy. 329 into an ammunition manufacturing facility for the U.S. military.

The company bought the property in 2007.

The plant will produce small grenades slightly larger than a shotgun shell.

Soldiers fire the ammunition from grenade launchers mounted atop vehicles or in machine gun versions carried by infantry soldiers.

The ammunition manufactured in Gaffney will initially be used by the military as training rounds, company officials have said.