Brown Shoe Company, Inc., the parent of Famous Footwear, plans to close its Sun Prairie, WI, distribution center in 2012. The closing of the facility will be a phased process, which is expected to begin in January and conclude in April. During this time, functionality will be moving to other locations, as the company works to reduce excess capacity in its Retail distribution network.
“This decision was based on the result of changes in our industry and our continued portfolio realignment efforts, which are focused on shifting resources to our strategic consumer platforms,” said Mike Kauffman, senior vice president of global supply chain management for Brown Shoe Company. “The decision to close this facility is in no way a reflection of the skills and abilities of the Sun Prairie team.”
Over the next several weeks, the company will host information sessions for its Associates in Sun Prairie, and it has arranged for an outplacement agency to be available on-site, as well. The affected Associates are being encouraged to consider other open positions at the company, and there is the potential for individuals to relocate to one of the company’s other distribution centers. Severance is also being provided to the Associates impacted by this structural change.
