Webb to lay off 151 at case goods plants
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, May 3, 2004
GALAX, Va. — GALAX, Va.— Case goods manufacturer Webb Furniture Enterprises will layoff 151 employees, almost a quarter of its workforce, on June 28.
"We attribute our layoff to the impact of low-priced bedroom imports from China," said Webb President D.E. Ward Jr.
The company employs 691 people at its office and two case goods plants, a mirror plant and a particleboard plant.
The layoffs affect the case goods plants. Ward said workers losing their jobs would be considered for positions at the other facilities.
"Webb also will have job fairs and notify other companies in Galax and the surrounding area to assist with job placement," he said. The company has applied for federal Trade Adjustment Assistance, which would provide additional unemployment benefits and job training.
Ward said he hoped the antidumping investigation targeting wood bedroom furniture from China now before the U.S. Department of Commerce, and a better year at retail, might result in the rehiring of workers.
"Every effort is being made to reverse the current situation," he said. "It is our hope to be able to recall these people in the future."
The company said it makes all its products in the United States, and therefore will not shift any jobs overseas.
