Dana Corporation Announces Restructuring of Structural Components Unit
23 September 1997
Dana Corporation Announces Restructuring of Structural Components UnitTOLEDO, Ohio, Sept. 23 -- Dana Corporation announced today that it will restructure and rationalize its structural components manufacturing operations located at Reading, Pa. As a result of this action, Dana will reduce its Reading workforce by the end of 1998. Currently about 2,700 people are employed at those facilities. In January of this year, Dana had announced the lay off of 275 people. During 1997, an additional 325 people will be laid off, and a further reduction of 500 employees will be made in the first half of 1998. Bruce Butcher, vice president and general manager of Dana's Parish Light Vehicle Structures Group, said, "Today's business environment is changing rapidly and these actions are necessary to ensure Parish's competitive position and to achieve maximum cost efficiency of the Reading facilities." Butcher said Dana's decision was announced as early as possible to provide its people time to pursue other opportunities. "Dana is committed to assisting the people affected by these reductions in their efforts to find other employment," he said. Jack Simpson, Dana chief financial officer, said, "As a result of the restructuring, the company will record a non-recurring after-tax charge of $22 million (21 cents per share) in the third quarter of 1997." Simpson went on to say, "We announced earlier this year that 1997 would be a transitional year for Dana. Other third quarter restructuring previously announced includes the sale of our transmission business. We also announced the sale of our clutch business, which resulted in a third-quarter gain of $70 million (67 cents per share)." Dana Corporation is a global leader in the engineering, manufacture, and distribution of products and systems for the automotive, engine, heavy truck, off-highway, and industrial markets. It also operates a leasing services business, which in 1996 was awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Founded in 1904 and based in Toledo, Ohio, Dana operates facilities in 30 countries and employs more than 48,000 people. The Internet address for Dana's home page is http://www.dana.com. SOURCE Dana Corporation