NATION
NATION
Slow sales at Longaberger
NEWARK, Ohio -- The Longaberger Co., which has said it may lay off a fifth of its work force in September if sales don't pick up, said it will close two plants for a week next month.
The company, which makes handcrafted baskets and other products, said that the Frazeysburg and Hartville plants will close the week of Aug. 15. The shutdown is in addition to those usually done in July and December. The plants have 2,600 employees.
"We have a very high inventory right now. There have been softer sales," said spokeswoman Bonny Fowler.
Longaberger has nearly 5,400 employees.
Associated Press
COPYRIGHT 2004 ASSOCIATED PRESS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN, OR REDISTRIBUTED.