Quaker Cuts More Jobs

August 30, 2006  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on August 2006 Citing competition from imported Chinese fabrics, rising energy prices and sluggish furniture sales, Quaker Fabric is laying off an additional 250 employees.

The cutback reduces the company’s employment to just over 1,000 people.

“Fierce competition from imported Chinese fabrics, rising energy prices and weakness in the retail furniture sector in general, are continuing to affect our incoming order rates and production requirements,” said Larry Liebenow, president and chief executive officer. “This means that we must reduce staffing in both our administrative and manufacturing areas to levels consistent with our current production needs.”

Liebenow said the company is committed to its U.S. manufacturing base and its leadership position in the upholstered fabric market by continuing its cost-cutting measures put in place last year.

“We are making good progress on each of those fronts,” he said. “Once our restructuring initiatives are further developed, we hope to be able to offer those individuals who are leaving us now the opportunity to return to the Quaker team.”