Ashley lays off 200
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, October 13, 2008
ECRU, Miss. — Ashley Furniture is laying off about 200 people from its upholstery manufacturing facilities here and in Ripley, Miss.
“It's an unfortunate situation and certainly not something we want to do,” said Ashley President Todd Wanek. “But based on the economy in the Southern region of the country, we felt it was a necessary change. One of the reasons we made the change was so we could give the people remaining 40 hours a week of work.”
Brent Koslo, vice president of upholstery, said the layoffs represent about 5% of the company's Mississippi workforce. He said Ashley will still employ more than 3,500 in the state.
While they aren't the company's first job cuts ever, Wanek said the layoffs are “certainly the first in more recent times.” He said four plants and a handling facility are affected.
