Rubbermaid Owner Plans Warehouse Closures, About 500 Layoffs

Rubbermaid-owner Newell Brands Inc. is planning to close eight of its North American distribution centers by the end of 2024, which will result in roughly 500 job cuts.

The layoffs represent about 2% of the company’s total workforce, according to Chief Executive Officer Chris Peterson, who took the helm in May. Newell, which also owns the Graco baby gear and Sharpie marker brands, will continue investing in training and automation at its roughly 20 remaining warehouses. It’s also planning to increase headcount at some distribution centers — about 70% of the jobs lost will be added back over time, ...