ALLEGAN, Mich. (WZZM) Haworth Tuesday became the last of West Michigan's "Big Three" office furniture makers to announce significant job cuts. Haworth said it would close it's Allegan seating factory in mid 2009, and seek voluntary job reductions at it's plants in Holland and Douglas. In a statement, the company said the goal was to "reduce Haworth's production ranks by 350 full time members in our West Michigan facilities."
In the statement, Haworth CEO Franco Bianchi blamed the cuts on "the unprecedented economic turmoil that has assailed our nation's and the world's economy." Citing similar reasons, competitors Steelcase and Herman Miller recently announced plans for job cuts totalling about 1250 positions.
Haworth said employees affected would be offered an "enhanced severance package" that is nearly triple what is typically offered to hourly members, while providing medical and vacation benefits and outplacement services for 2009.
Many of those laid off will seek work at the nearby Michigan Works office in Allegan. Catherine Burton-Snell, who runs the office, told WZZM 13:"Anytime you get this kind of news, it's frightening and it's distressing, for the individual, for the family for the community... I think we have enough time from Haworth, enough notice, and we'll be working with them to see if we can lessen the impact."
Randy DeBoer, president of Interphase, the Haworth dealer for West Michigan, said Haworth is "on the right track we see this as a proactive step."
DeBoer said his business this year has been strong and 2009 looks strong as well, something he attributes to the strength of the medical and hospitality industries, customers he has only worked with in recent years.
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