Wolseley to lay off 84 U.K. workers
Industrial Distribution staff -- Industrial Distribution, 9/11/2008 8:05:00 AM
Wolseley plc plans to cut its workforce in the United Kingdom by 84 workers in the latest round of layoffs for the British building materials distributor, the Kenilworth Weekly News reported.Wolseley, ranked first on INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION's 2008 Big 50 list of distributors, is cutting 73 jobs at its Leamington Spa, U.K., headquarters—nearly 14 percent of the 530 people employed there—and another 11 positions at another location in Ripon, U.K.
Managing director Rob Marchbank told the newspaper the ongoing housing slump on both sides of the Atlantic is to blame.
“Given the deterioration in several of our markets, including the U.K., we have continued to take action to reduce duplication and make cost savings across our operations,” Marchbank said. ”I am confident that today's changes, along with the recent establishment of our new divisional structure, will ensure we emerge from the current economic challenges equipped to successfully compete in our market places.”
It’s the latest round of cuts for Wolseley, which posted sales of $31.6 billion last year. In July, the company said it will shutter 53 of its European branches and eliminate 550 jobs, in addition to the 150 jobs and 13 branches it plans to lose in Ireland. Wolseley also said it will close up to 90 of its U.K. locations in response to the economic downturn.
Talkback
Related Content
Related Content
Sponsored Links
View All Blogs
