LEWISTON -- Lewiston-based Geiger, the promotional products maker best known as the publisher of the Farmers' Almanac, has laid off about 8 percent of its work force.

About 30 of the company's 400 workers lost their jobs. Those affected include managers and workers at company headquarters and field offices around the country.

Executive Vice President Peter Geiger said the company detected a slowdown in business soon after the stock market decline last fall.

Geiger said the job cuts were needed in order to adjust to what business is expected to be like in 2009.