Officials not saying if Rubbermaid cuts will be felt locally

WINCHESTER — It is still unclear if local Rubbermaid Commercial Products jobs will be affected by the recent announcement that its parent company will be cutting positions.

Atlanta-based consumer products company Newell Rubbermaid announced plans Friday to cut more than 1,900 jobs, or about 10 percent of its worldwide workforce, over the next 2¹⁄₂ years.

According to a local Rubbermaid Commercial Products spokesperson, the company is focused on “continuing to grow and expand in the area,” said Jennifer Schneider, a marketing communications manager at the local company.

Requests for comment to Newell Rubbermaid headquarters in Atlanta were not returned Friday or Monday.

Rubbermaid Commercial Products has plans to add 66 hires this year at its Winchester plant, which Schneider said would bring the number of positions to 1,093 by early 2013.

The company is also in the process of moving into the 454,965-square-foot former General Electric Consumer & Industrial Winchester Lamp Plant at 125 Apple Valley Road, which is being converted into a distribution center.

Newell Rubbermaid announced Friday that all savings from the job cuts will be reinvested into growing its brands globally and adding new sales capabilities in emerging markets.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

— Contact Conor Gallagher at cgallagher@winchesterstar.com