Newell Rubbermaid plans temporary layoffs in Winfield in response to a sluggish economy that has reduced demand for the insulated coolers and storage sheds produced locally, a company official said.
Roughly 490 people work at Rubbermaid facilities on E. 12th. The company should know by next week how many of those people will be affected by the layoffs, spokesperson Connie Bryant said.
Cuts will begin June 6 and continue through Oct. 9. The reductions are being divided into three sessions of six weeks each and some employees will be affected for only one session while others will be affected for the entire period.
Bryant said the summer months were ordinarily a busy production time for coolers and outdoor storage sheds, which do well in late summer and early fall. This year, however, production was increased early in the year to prepare for the spring and early summer cooler season and demand has not been sufficient to require increased summer production.
Employees will be eligible for unemployment pay from the state.
Bryant also addressed concerns that the company might consider moving the insulated cooler lines out of Winfield and produce only outdoor sheds.
"The rumor mentioned regarding insulated coolers is incorrect," Bryant said in an e-mail exchange. "There are no plans to move manufacturing of insulated coolers from Winfield."
