Newell Rubbermaid jobs moving to Shelbyville

Newell Rubbermaid informed employees on Friday that it would consolidate its Maryville distribution operations into the Shelbyville distribution center by early next year, affecting 40 jobs in Maryville.

Displaced Maryville employees will have the option to apply for open positions at Newell Rubbermaid's manufacturing facility there or at the Shelbyville distribution facility.

In November 2008, the company announced a reorganization of its manufacturing and distribution facilities which resulted in production of the Sharpie marker moving from Shelbyville to Maryville. That reorganization, along with the decision in July 2008 to drop certain low-margin product lines, has resulted in a planned reduction in Newell Rubbermaid's sales volume, according to an e-mail from spokeswoman Connie Bryant.

"Additionally," she wrote, "this corresponds with our plans for our Maryville facility to be a center of excellence for manufacturing markers, highlighters and dry erase products, while Shelbyville will be our center of excellence for distribution."

The company says it will attempt to assist the affected employees in Maryville.

"While this change is necessary for us to remain competitive, we understand the impact it will have on affected employees and their families. Our focus is now on assisting them during this transition. We will provide support by offering outplacement services, opportunities to earn additional money through operations and safety incentive programs while the distribution center continues to operate and by providing supplemental unemployment pay once employment ends," wrote Bryant.