Hallmark announces plant, production changes

No jobs will be lost

Hallmark Cards Inc. is closing one of its two plants in Leavenworth and transferring some production work out of its Lawrence plant, the company announced today.

The changes will not result in any job losses, said Julie O’Dell, a Hallmark spokeswoman.

The company plans to consolidate production of giftwrap and partyware at an existing Hallmark plant at 450 Eisenhower Road in Leavenworth. The consolidation will transfer equipment and all 150 jobs out of the company’s other Leavenworth plant, at 4901 Select Products Drive.

The moves start immediately and will be expected to be complete by the end of 2008, at which time the vacated plant will be put up for sale, O’Dell said.

In Lawrence, Hallmark plans to outsource production of a handful of seasonal formats for ribbon and bows. The outsourcing will not eliminate any of the 800 jobs at the plant, 101 McDonald Drive, whose main products are Shoebox greeting cards and other special-order cards and products that require special processing.