Case Closed

Steelcase Inc. (Grand Rapids, Mich.), the commercial furniture and interior architectural products manufacturer, announced it will close its wood furniture manufacturing plants — in New Paris, Ind., and Fletcher, N.C. — as part of its ongoing restructuring effort in North America.

While most of the production from these two facilities will move to the company's facility at its Grand Rapids headquarters, the net effect will be a reduction of 1 million square feet of manufacturing space.

“The changes we are making now are an evolution of a process that has been in progress for some time and ones we believe will ultimately make Steelcase North America more efficient and profitable,” said president Frank Merlotti. “Actions such as these are never easy, but are a reflection of the need to make strategic changes in the way we operate our North America business moving forward.”