• Most Popular
  • Most Shared

CORRECTED - UPDATE 1-Ethan Allen to close upholstery plant, take charge

Thu Jan 8, 2009 5:50pm EST

Stocks

   

(Corrects fifth paragraph to delete erroneous statement that retail consolidation affects 350 employees)

Stocks  |  Global Markets

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Ethan Allen Interiors Inc (ETH.N) said on Tuesday it would consolidate operations of an upholstery factory and several retail service centers, with pretax charges expected of about $8 million to $9 million.

The furniture company said that after-tax restructuring, impairment and other related charges would crimp earnings by 18 cents to 20 cents per share.

Some 80 percent of those charges would be recorded in the quarter ended March 31, with the remainder in the quarter ended June 30.

Business currently serviced by the closing manufacturing plant in Eldred, Pennsylvania will now transfer to plants in California and North Carolina, where production will be expanded, Ethan Allen said.

The retail service centers to be consolidated will be relocated to larger facilities, the company said.

Overall, some 350 employees will be affected by consolidations of the plant and retail centers.

"This action will improve the efficiency of our logistical capabilities and strengthen our U.S. manufacturing operations," said Chief Executive Farooq Kathwari in a statement.

U.S. furniture companies, reeling from an industrywide sales slump amid declining home values, have been further hurt by the global financial crisis and credit crunch.

Shares of Ethan Allen, which are down 43 percent from a year ago, closed at $14.96, up nearly 4 percent, on the New York Stock Exchange.

(Reporting by Alexandria Sage; Editing by Bernard Orr)



More from Reuters

Joint Terminal Attack Controller SSgt Clinton J. Herbison, a U.S. Airman from the 817 Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron (EASOS) takes a break during a night mission near Honaker Miracle camp at the Pesh valley of Kunar Province August 12, 2009. Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Pictures of the Year

A look at the best photos of 2009.  Slideshow 

    The Dalai Lama jokes with a nasal spray after being asked his opinion on the swine flu during a press conference after his first lecture in Lausanne, Switzerland, August 4, 2009. REUTERS/ Valentin Flauraud

    What a wacky year it's been...

    Um, what's up the Dalai Lama's nose? "Oddly Enough" editor Bob Basler rounds up the goofiest photos of the year.  Full Article 

    A caution sign is seen next to a stock board at the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in Sydney September 5, 2008. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz
    Political Risk in 2010:

    Don't say we didn't warn you

    With the financial crisis (mostly) in the past, U.S. investors are eying a fresh start to the coming year. Here's a look at what speedbumps lie ahead.  Full Article