Hallmark aims for 200 job cuts in Kansas City

Hallmark Cards on Monday announced a buyout program for eligible employees in its product development and creation business.

Employees who take the “voluntary transition” will count toward a 200-position reduction the company plans to implement in the next several months.

“Like so many consumer products companies, Hallmark must find ways to reduce its costs in the face of changes in consumer spending,” said David Hall, president of Hallmark North America. “While advances in technology and new ways of working have allowed us to streamline work processes and improve productivity, this workforce action also will improve the company’s agility, competitiveness and focus on creating great products.”

The company said that eligibility for the program will be based on a combination of years of service and age. If enough voluntary departures aren’t received, an involuntary staff reduction will be made, the company said.

Hallmark will offer severance payments and outplacement assistance to all affected employees. It expects to complete the actions this summer.

Hallmark currently has about 3,000 full-time and 170 part-time employees in Kansas City.

This story was originally published March 30, 2015 at 12:11 PM with the headline "Hallmark aims for 200 job cuts in Kansas City."