Virginia Businesses in the News


Cutbacks and Closings

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For the Record is compiled from company releases, business journals and newspaper reports from around the state. If you have an item for these listings: • Mail it to: For the Record Virginia Business Magazine P.O. Box 85333 Richmond, VA 23293 • E-mail it to ForTheRecord@va-business.com • Fax it to (804) 649-6311

Hooker Furniture, a Martinsville-based furniture manufacturer, plans to close its Maiden, N.C., plant by the end of October. The plant, one of four operated by Hooker in Virginia and North Carolina, employs 240 workers. The company cited market pressure from low-priced wood furniture imported from Asia in the decision. (8/18/04, Business Wire)

Spiegel Group Teleservices laid off 100 workers at its Hampton call center and shifted those services to operations in Canada. The move is part of an ongoing restructuring that began in March 2003 when the company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. (7/30/04, Daily Press)

Wella Corp. plans to close its production distribution operations in Richmond with a loss of 340 jobs in the Richmond area. Procter & Gamble bought Wella’s parent company, Wella AG of Germany, in 2003 and, as a result, Wella announced plans to cut 1,200 production and distribution jobs worldwide as it consolidates operations. (7/29/04, Richmond Times-Dispatch)