RACINE, Wis. — JohnsonDiversey Inc. is selling its U.S. commercial and on-premise laundry business to Washing Systems Inc. (WSI), Cincinnati, and moving its healthcare and hospitality business model from company-provided, after-sales service to distribution.
More than 500 jobs will be eliminated by year's end.
"We wish we didn't need to reduce employment," explains Curtis Johnson, JohnsonDiversey's chairman, "but the decision to refocus on our core business will make this a stronger company for the long term."
WSI, which acquired JohnsonDiversey's commercial laundry business in Canada last year, is considering retaining a number of its employees.
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