Revlon announces global organizational restructuring

NEW YORK Revlon is implementing a worldwide organizational restructuring to curb costs, a move that will result in the elimination of about 400 positions, including roughly 325 current employees and about 75 open positions.

The beauty company expects this restructuring will save roughly $30 million annually, about $15 million of which will benefit 2009 results.

The primary components of the restructuring involve consolidating certain functions; reducing layers of management, where appropriate, to increase accountability and effectiveness; streamlining support functions to reflect the new structure; and further consolidation of the company’s office facilities in New Jersey.

“Today’s announcement represents an important, necessary and logical next step forward for Revlon. Over the past two years, we have built improved and more efficient processes and workflows, which now allow us to take this step to reduce annualized costs by approximately $30 million,” stated Alan Ennis, Revlon president and CEO.

The moves are expected to result in charges of $20 million, comprised of $17 million in employee-related costs, including severance and other termination benefits, and $3 million related to the consolidation of the New Jersey office facilities. Revlon stated that roughly $17 million of the charges will be recognized during the second quarter 2009, while the remaining $3 million will be recognized in the second half of 2009. All of the charges are expected to be paid out over the 2009 to 2012 period, including $11 million in 2009, $6 million in 2010, and the balance of $3 million to be paid thereafter.

Commenting on its outlook for the second quarter 2009, Ennis said the company expects “a significant negative impact on net sales and profitability” due to retailers scaling back inventory levels in light of the current economic situation, unfavorable foreign currency fluctuations and pension expenses.