http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-biz-united-stationers-lay-off-jan27,0,1914730.story United Stationers to lay off 250 United
Stationers Inc., moving to counter what it called “the challenging
economic environment,” joined the swelling ranks of U.S. corporations
trimming their workforce Tuesday, when it unveiled a corporate
belt-tightening effort that will cost about 250 workers their jobs.
The
Deerfield business-products distributor said the job cuts represent
about 4 percent of its total workforce, and will include both
management and non-management positions. About half of the 250
positions slated for elimination have been identified already and will
take place this week, United Stationers said; the remaining 125 jobs
due to be cut will be identified and implemented by the end of March.
The
staff cutbacks will generate a pretax charge of between $2.5 million
and $3.5 million, the distribution concern said.The cuts, said
President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Gochnauer, represent “a
necessary response to current market conditions.” Through the workforce
reduction and other actions, he said, the company will be “able to
better align our expenses with the lower sales levels we are
experiencing.”