ERIE — One of the largest employers in northwestern Pennsylvania says it'll reduce its workforce through retirements and layoffs.

Lord Corp. isn't saying yet how many jobs will be cut or where. The North Carolina-headquartered conglomerate produces materials for industries including aerospace and oil and gas production.

But it says it's facing difficult market conditions, including downturns in defense, agriculture, oil and gas and construction, as well as currency fluctuations.

Volkswagen's top U.S. executive offered deep apologies yet sought to distance himself Thursday from the emissions scandal enveloping the world's largest automaker, asserting top corporate officials had no knowledge of the cheating software installed in 11 million diesel cars.Volkswagen of America CEO Michael Horn told a congressional subcommittee a tiny group of software developers in Germany was responsible for the problem.