New Balance will be closing its Brine operations in Milford, MA to help consolidate operations and most efficiently utilize resources in its two lacrosse companies. Positions currently held at the Milford facility will be split between the Warrior Lacrosse facility in Warren, MI and the New Balance headquarters in Brighton, MA.
An estimate of the expected cost savings from the move was not immediately available. Part of the attractiveness for the move comes from the simple arithmetic of two lacrosse companies in one house, but also from a distribution facility located in the center of the country as opposed to the far northeast.
According to Amy Vreeland, corporate communications manager for New Balance, the move has been in the works for a couple of months with the company “looking to consolidate resources and best service its customers.”
In all, approximately 75 jobs will be affected by the move that will be completed by early Fall 2008. Operations will be handled out of the Warrior facility, mainly warehousing and customer service, with approximately 25 products, research and development and brand marketing associates heading to Brighton.
The Warrior facility in Michigan recently expanded its warehouse as part of moves to consolidate workflow. Current employees at the Brine facility in Milford not planning to make the move have been offered training and placement assistance to help with finding new employment.
