JULY 20, 2022 — 180 LAYOFFS IN NEWTON, MISSISSIPPI
The company is finalizing the planned closure of its Newton, Mississippi upholstery manufacturing facility impacting 180 employees with separations, expected to occur on September 16, 2022.
Approximately 235 employees in integrated internal supply and other functions will remain in this location.
JUNE 7, 2020 — 850 LAYOFFS, PLANT CLOSURE
“Effective immediately, the company will reduce its global workforce by about 10%, or approximately 850 employees, across its manufacturing, retail and corporate locations, including the closure of its Newton, Mississippi upholstery manufacturing facility.
Production will be shifted to available capacity at the company’s Dayton, Tennessee, Neosho, Missouri, and Siloam Springs, Arkansas plants.
These changes are expected to leverage efficiencies across the business, improve competitiveness and position the company to drive long-term value for all stakeholders.
The company’s Newton upholstery plant, built in 1960, employs about 300 people, accounts for approximately 10% of the La-Z-Boy branded business total upholstery production, and manufactures La-Z-Boy recliners, motion sofas and classics (high-leg recliners). The Newton-based integrated internal supply functions will remain in operation. Approximately 170 individuals work across these areas and will remain with the company.”
Original post…
Monroe, Michigan La-Z-Boy, the iconic furniture manufacturer best known for its recliners, has announced additional consolidation and restructuring plans to “strengthen its supply chain manufacturing footprint. The company will close its 200,000 square-foot upholstery manufacturing facility in Redlands, California and transition operations to the company’s other facilities. It is anticipated that 350 people will be laid off following the cessation of production in October 2019. The building will be place on the market after it is vacated.
The company also plans to Layoff approximately 105 employees in its leather cut-and-sew operation located in Newton, Mississippi with the move commencing in October and completed by the end of 2019. The company plans to move some of its Newton operations to another La-Z-Boy facility believed to be located in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.
According to La-Z-Boy Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Kurt L. Darrow, We regret the impact these actions will have on those employees affected and will provide outplacement assistance during the transition period. We greatly appreciate the contribution of each employee and thank them for their years of dedicated service. However, after an in-depth review of our supply chain, due to ongoing productivity improvements, we determined these moves will further optimize our operations and strengthen our competitive positioning in the marketplace. We are committed to ensuring our dealers and their customers continue to receive excellent service, quick and on-time deliveries, and consistent freight costs as we move production to our other facilities. With 3.7 million square feet of North American manufacturing space for the La-Z-Boy branded product and about 5,000 employees in those facilities, we have the capacity to not only service existing business but expand our volume as we execute various growth strategies.”
Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?
