Retail Traffic and Consumer Demand for Kitchen Appliances Shows Increased Recovery
MADISON, Wis. (October 7, 2009) – Increased demand for Sub-Zero and Wolf products has prompted the company to add a second production shift at its factories in Fitchburg, Wis., and Phoenix, Ariz, the Madison-based appliance manufacturer announced today. The company had implemented a production and workforce cut earlier in the year due to the economic recession.
“For the first time in more than a year, home sales and home remodeling projects are steadily picking up, and our distributors and dealers are reporting increased interest and demand for our appliances,” said Chuck Verri, Sub-Zero and Wolf’s vice president for human resources. “We’ve been in this business for more than 60 years, and we’ve successfully weathered other economic downturns. We’re cautiously optimistic that the industry and the economy will continue to recover, and so we’ve positioned ourselves to rebound quickly as we come out of this recessionary period.” The company has called back approximately 40 hourly employees at its Arizona plant, and 165 in Wisconsin, and will hire 60 additional salaried positions. The hiring effort will take full effect in November for hourly employees and will continue over the next six months for salaried positions.
