Huntsman To Downsize As Part Of Restructuring

The Woodlands, Texas-based chemical manufacturer Huntsman Corp. has announced it plans to make significant job cuts as part of the company＊s move to adopt a new structure for its Textile Effects business and to help cut annual costs by $60 million (See ※Huntsman Textile Effects Business Adopts New Structure, www.textileworld.com , Dec. 2, 2008.) Huntsman globally has redesigned its overall organization to move from a product-centric model to a consumer-facing organization. The cost cuts apply to all nine segments of the Textile Effects business, which now comprises Apparel & Home Textiles and Specialty Textiles. Though the consolidation is global, there is a higher impact in Europe.



Huntsman will eliminate approximately 470 jobs in its Dyes and Textile Chemicals business 每 approximately 12 percent of that unit＊s current workforce of 3,700. The company already has trimmed production in Langweid, Germany, as a result of a drop in volumes, eliminating 150 employees at the site. According to Huntsman Director of Global Communications Guy Wolff, the company also intends to halve the number of sales offices and laboratories globally as well as drop unprofitable products.



The Specialty Textiles business will remain centered in Europe and the United States, and the Apparel & Home Textiles business will remain centered in Asia.

Textile World