WESTPORT, Conn. (Feb. 11)—Playtex Products Inc. plans to outsource production of latex gloves to Malaysia and cut more than 300 jobs, or 20 percent of its work force, as part of a realignment program.
The realignment is aimed at cutting its organizational complexity, creating a more competitive cost structure and focusing its attention on core sectors.
In addition to the planned cuts and production move, the company will consolidate manufacturing, warehousing and office facilities; reduce its corporate headquarters office space; shelve its U.S.-international divisional setup in favor of a product category structure; and realign its sales and marketing organizations and related support functions, the firm said.
Work force reductions will be made through a combination of attrition, early retirement and layoffs, the company said.
The realignment is being made to allow Playtex to compete more effectively in the marketplace, President and CEO Neil DeFeo said. The program will impact all of the firm's locations.