Hallmark will transfer some gift wrap manufacturing from England to Leavenworth

Hallmark Cards announced Thursday that it will transfer some of its gift wrap manufacturing from Bradford, England, to its production center in Leavenworth.

The move, which will occur over 12 months, will cut about 300 jobs in the United Kingdom as the company ends all greeting card and gift wrap manufacturing at its Dawson Lane plant in Bradford. No jobs will be added in Leavenworth.

Steve Wright, president of Hallmark International, said the changes are part of the Kansas City company’s cost reduction and business transformation efforts.

Hallmark U.K.’s card production will move to other facilities in the United Kingdom and Asia. About 1,900 people will remain Hallmark U.K. employees after the transition is complete.

The company said the Leavenworth plant will get some of the gift wrap manufacturing equipment from the Bradford plant. The equipment allows production of special effects, such as foil and embossing, on gift wrap rolls.

This story was originally published March 6, 2014 at 11:08 AM with the headline "Hallmark will transfer some gift wrap manufacturing from England to Leavenworth."