Courtesy: Lands' EndDODGEVILLE (WKOW) -- Lands' End says it is reducing its workforce by nearly 200, starting Wednesday.
The company, headquartered in Dodgeville, said in a news release it found redundancies and overlapping roles and responsibilities that will result in the elimination of 50 jobs effective immediately.
Lands' End also says it is reducing staff size at its customer contact center in Dodgeville by 29 percent and streamlining overall business operations, which will lead to the loss of 86 full-time jobs and 63 flexible, part-time jobs by the end of January. This represents a 5 percent reduction in the company's workforce in Dodgeville.
Lands' End blames the reduction in the call center on changing customer habits, saying call volume has decreased by more than 50 percent over the past 10 years. The company says nearly 80 percent of its U.S. customers are shopping on its web site.
Lands' End released the following statement from company CEO and President, Edgar Huber:
"We've had to make some difficult business decisions, especially since our employees are involved, but they're necessary as Lands' End evolves and continues to be a relevant brand that our customers have counted on for nearly 50 years. The changes we've made reflect how our customers are shopping with us, which is increasingly online. As consumer shopping habits evolve, so will Lands' End to ensure that we continue providing customers with high-quality products at an exceptional value."
Two years ago, Lands' End reduced its Dodgeville workforce by 30 positions.
Dodgeville Mayor Todd Novak says the company's move is difficult for the small city. Novak says if families are not directly affected, they know a neighbor or a friend who is losing a job. But, Novak says even though the layoffs will affect spending power and the local economy, he takes comfort in the fact there's no indication Lands' End long-standing presence in Dodgeville will change.
