By Amy Macavinta

April 3, 2008 | The practice of sending jobs to Mexico to take advantage of cheaper labor rates has just left hundreds of Northern Utah residents with the news they will be soon be looking for a new job. La-Z-Boy Inc. announced Thursday it will close its Utah location in 60 days.

The manufacturing facility in Tremonton employs 630 people from Cache and Box Elder counties, as well as some in Idaho. La-Z-Boy President and Chief Executive Officer Kurt L. Darrow said in a news release that about 230 jobs in cutting and sewing from Tremonton and just over 800 from five other locations will be moved to Mexico during the next 18 to 24 months. The remaining Utah jobs will be distributed among the other locations in North America.

"We regret the impact these moves will have on the families and lives of those employees affected and greatly appreciate the contribution of each employee and thank them for their years of dedicated service."

According to La-Z-Boy Inc., the employees at this location are responsible for 13 percent of the company's total manufacturing. The production line includes recliners, motion furniture and stationary upholstery.

Darrow said the goal is to improve speed to market. Moving all of the cutting and sewing jobs to Mexico, and consolidating the remaining processes into one less facility will allow the company to follow through on that promise to its clients.

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