GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Steelcase is requesting at least 40 more employees take advantage of a buyout offer by the office furniture giant.

Reported by WZZM channel 13 in west Michigan, Steelcase  first offered a buyout in January 2011 in the hopes that approximately 400 employees would take advantage of the offer. The company says the buyouts are a byproduct of Steelcase's closing of three North American plants: East Kentwood, MI, Grand Prairie, TX and Markham, ON. A total of 750 jobs were expected to be lost as a result of the closures, which were announced in January.

Production at the Kentwood seating facility, which makes the high-end Leap and Think chairs, is moving to a Steelcase facility in Mexico. The company’s other North American plants will absorb production from the closure of the Grand Prairie and Markham facilities. Products currently manufactured at Grand Prairie include Host credenzas and tables and Akira tables. The Markham product lines include Answer panel systems and Ally seating. The Markham facility was a recent recipient of the Recycling Council of Ontario's "Environmentally Sustainable Business Award" and "Platinum Waste Minimization Award."

Company spokeswoman Jeanine Holquist previously stated that the restructuring would save Steelcase approximately $35 million a year.