CabinetMaker+FDM - February 2011

Weinig USA acquires
MillvisionPro

Weinig USA, Mooresville, N.C., has
acquired MillvisionPro, a company that
produces integrative software solutions
for the manufacturing of wood compo-
nent parts. Weinig will incorporate its
Powerlock quick-change technology,
moving-blade rip systems and cross-
cut automation with the integration
solutions from MillvisionPro.

Steelcase to close
three North American
manufacturing locations

Steelcase announced plans to close three of its manufacturing plants in North America as part of its effort to improve business and strengthen the company’s long-term competitiveness.

The company will close its plants in Kentwood, Mich.; Grand Prairie, Texas; and Markham, Ontario, eliminating about 750 jobs total, according to mlive.com. The company said it expects to move production within these facilities to other Steelcase locations in North America over the next eighteen months.

Steelcase estimated its cash restructuring costs associated with the closings to be approximately $45 million, with the majority related to workforce reductions as well as additional costs for manufacturing consolidation and production moves. The company estimated the consolidation will save about $35 million a year after it is fully completed.

“We continue to make improvements to our industrial system, which have left us with excess capacity to support current and anticipated future demand,” said James P. Hackett, president and chief executive. “Actions such as these are never easy, but reflect the need for the organization to be as fit as possible in the highly competitive environment in which we operate. The changes we are making are designed to support our customers with a more flexible and agile industrial model for the future.”