HOLLAND, MI - Office furniture manufacturer Haworth Inc. announced it will phase out production at its components plant in Douglas, MI, in the next 18 months as part of plan to consolidate its three West Michigan facilities.

In addition, Haworth said it will offer approximately 400 employees voluntary severance packages.

According to WOODTV, the first phase of the consolidation involves moving production of metal file products from its Holland Steel Components plant to its factory in Big Rapids, MI. Once that move is completed, Haworth will use the vacated space in Holland to produce components made at the Douglas facility. Plans also call for replacing the finishing line in Holland with a power coat system.

Haworth released a statement that it "is working hard to put measures in place that should result in no involuntary elimination of any Haworth member's employment."

The consolidation plan calls for approximamtely 70 jobs in Holland to move to Big Rapids and for most of the 110 jobs currently in Douglas to shift to Holland.

On its website, Haworth said the 135,000-square-foot Douglas plant "manufactures a variety of components that are shipped to several Haworth facilities and used for manufacturing finished products."

Haworth, a family owned and privately held, designer and manufacturer of furniture and workspaces, had sales of $1.38 billion in 2011. The company serves markets in more than 120 countries and has a global network of 600 dealers.

Related Reading

Haworth Acquires Strategic Interest in AIS 8-24-12

Haworth Sells Furniture Group LaCasse 5-10-12

Haworth Sales Grow 15% in 2011 2-10-12