From Deseret News archives:
La-Z-Boy plant: 630 Utah workers to lose jobs in summer
The maker of the namesake living-room recliners said the closure of the Utah factory is part of a nationwide reorganization that includes moving about 1,200 U.S. manufacturing jobs to Mexico to reduce costs. The reductions come amid declining industry sales caused by the deepest housing slump in at least a quarter-century. The company's revenue dropped 7.8 percent in the quarter ended in January.
The Utah plant, which makes furniture and upholstery, will close within the next several months, the company said Wednesday in a statement.
The Monroe, Mich.-based company will transfer work at Tremonton to five remaining plants in North America that produce La-Z-Boy branded upholstery products. About 400 production positions will be added at those remaining facilities.
La-Z-Boy spokeswoman Kathy Liebmann said the Tremonton employees were notified Wednesday afternoon. She declined to comment about possible severance packages but said the company has hired an outplacement firm to assist employees with counseling, employment workshops, resume preparation, interview preparation and related services.
The company has about 8,100 employees in its upholstery division, Liebmann said. La-Z-Boy plans to begin production early next year at the Mexican facility, located in Ramos Arizpe, near Saltillo in the northern Mexican state of Coahuila.
The Tremonton plant, which at one time had more than 1,000 employees, accounts for 13 percent of the company's total upholstery manufacturing capacity and produces recliners, "motion furniture" such as reclining sofas, and stationary upholstery products.
The 675,000-square-foot plant, which opened in 1978, will be marketed for sale after it closes.
The Tremonton plant closure was one of two cost-cutting moves the company announced. The company also will move its domestic cutting and sewing operations to Mexico, affecting about 1,050 workers at five remaining plants over 18 to 24 months.
The plant closing and shift in cut-and-sew operations are expected to save the company more than $25 million annually starting in fiscal 2011, La-Z-Boy said.
Kurt L. Darrow, La-Z-Boy's president and chief executive officer, said in a news release that the decision to close the Tremonton facility was "difficult."
Recent comments
well here we go again slitting our throat we buy foring cars ect-ect...
p.j | Aug. 22, 2009 at 6:22 p.m.
La-z-boy CEO made $630,000 and a bonus of $326,000 Poor Guy how dose...
Anonymous | May 9, 2008 at 11:40 p.m.
La-z-boy has been in China for 6 years already. 70% of it's leather...
La-z-boy China | May 9, 2008 at 11:22 p.m.
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