Case Laying Off 78 More People
W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company has announced an additional reduction to its staffing levels, effective April 1.
The cutbacks will affect 78 factory Associates. Case had previously announced a reduction of 31 Associates in January of this year, the first such cuts following 10 years of continued business growth.
The Company cites continued soft sales caused by the general economic slowdown and increased inventories as the reasons for the cost cutting measure.
Case Chief Executive Officer Tom Arrowsmith states, “Given the significant decline in customer traffic being reported by Case dealers, we know our sales are being
affected by the country’s continuing economic slowdown.
Our inventories have been building as product orders have slowed, making this reduction a necessary measure now. We believe sales will improve as the economy regains strength and consumer confidence is restored.”
Starting April 15, Case will be providing the affected associates with unemployment filing assistance and job training guidance with the help of Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry and CareerLink of McKean County.
Ed Jessup, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Case, says the Company added more than 400 retailers to its nationwide Authorized Dealer network and achieved increased sales in 2008. He credits the “Making a Case for America” marketing program with this success, a program focused on Case’s hand-crafted products which are made only in Bradford and sold in hometown stores.
Jessup says “It’s just one example...among many...of how the Company stands well-positioned for future growth.” He adds, “We’re anticipating sales to improve in the Fall, as that is traditionally our busiest time of the year.”
The cutbacks will affect 78 factory Associates. Case had previously announced a reduction of 31 Associates in January of this year, the first such cuts following 10 years of continued business growth.
The Company cites continued soft sales caused by the general economic slowdown and increased inventories as the reasons for the cost cutting measure.
Case Chief Executive Officer Tom Arrowsmith states, “Given the significant decline in customer traffic being reported by Case dealers, we know our sales are being
affected by the country’s continuing economic slowdown.
Our inventories have been building as product orders have slowed, making this reduction a necessary measure now. We believe sales will improve as the economy regains strength and consumer confidence is restored.”
Starting April 15, Case will be providing the affected associates with unemployment filing assistance and job training guidance with the help of Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry and CareerLink of McKean County.
Ed Jessup, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Case, says the Company added more than 400 retailers to its nationwide Authorized Dealer network and achieved increased sales in 2008. He credits the “Making a Case for America” marketing program with this success, a program focused on Case’s hand-crafted products which are made only in Bradford and sold in hometown stores.
Jessup says “It’s just one example...among many...of how the Company stands well-positioned for future growth.” He adds, “We’re anticipating sales to improve in the Fall, as that is traditionally our busiest time of the year.”
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