Business Courier by James Ritchie, Staff Reporter
Hill-Rom Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HRC) will eliminate 200 positions across its operations, including 24 jobs in Batesville.
“Hill-Rom is in a strong financial position,” said John Greisch, CEO of Hill-Rom. “However, this restructuring is important to allow us to adapt to the ongoing economic conditions while still allowing us to continue to invest in key growth areas such as research and development.”
The company notified affected employees on Wednesday, Hill-Rom spokeswoman MaryLou McNally told the Business Courier.
Hill-Rom makes hospital beds and other medical equipment. The company has than 6,000 employees worldwide, including about 2,000 at its Batesville headquarters, according to its website.
The layoff involves positions “from various functions and locations,” McNally said.
In January, Hill-Rom reported first-quarter revenue of $381 million, up 2 percent from the same period a year ago. Net income decreased to $33 million from $35 million.
The company announced earlier this month that it would increase its quarterly dividend by 11 percent to 12.5 cents a share, to be paid on March 30.
Hill-Rom’s stock closed down nearly 2 percent on Thursday at $35.36. Over 52 weeks it’s ranged from $26.90 to $48.80.
