But Conair expansion still delayed; neither reveal layoffs
By Vic Monaco, Managing Editor; Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
Vic Monaco and Sean RuppertStaff Writers
When interviewed last summer about his company’s delayed plan for a major expansion, John Mayorek offered that despite the worst economy he had seen in more than three decades, his company had been lucky to avoid layoffs.
Six months later, the senior vice president of Conair politely declines to talk about the L word. But he acknowledges that it is very unlikely that the expansion planned for early 2007 will get started in 2009.
East Windsor’s second largest employer, with about 600 employees here, isn’t the only one avoiding talking specifics about layoffs. The township’s top employer, McGraw Hill, also is mum about the loss of local jobs.
McGraw Hill eliminated 1,045 positions companywide in 2008, including 375 layoffs in the fourth quarter, according to a Jan. 6 release. Spokesman Jason Feuchtwanger said last week that the company would not specify where the layoffs occurred, only that they were spread throughout the company, which has 280 offices in more than 40 countries around the world.
He did say there are about 1,000 people employed at McGraw Hill in East Windsor, a number he said has remained “relatively consistent” for some time. Mr. Feuchtwanger also pointed out that the company opened a new data center at the East Windsor center in January 2008.
”East Windsor remains an essential operations center for the company and our long-term commitment is underscored by the significant investment we recently made to build a state-of-the-art data center there,” he said. “Despite a very challenging economy, our diverse portfolio of global business and our effective cost management enabled us to generate a significant profit in 2008, but at a lower level than 2007.”
Conair has been approved locally for a 450,000-square-foot warehousing expansion on a 27-acre lot directly across from its existing warehouse. The project was expected to add 200 to 500 jobs.
That won’t happen any time soon.
”Because of the economy we have really mothballed that for this year,” Mr. Mayorek said last week.
”If we put up this facility it probably would be empty because … of the demand from our customers,” he added. “Putting up a building would not be a prudent thing. … You hold back on capital expenditures, that’s the first thing you do in business.”
Conair markets and manufactures small health and beauty products along with its Cuisinart line of products. Among its customers are Boscov’s, Macy’s and even Circuit City, which have been closing stores as a result of the economy. Mr. Mayorek said the fortunes of his company are tied directly to what can be seen at malls around the country.
”At one time we believed that with our product line of hair dryers, curling irons, scrunchees, everybody would go to the mall or local CVS and purchase these things because they’re pretty low-end (pricewise). Everybody has $20 to make themselves feel good and look good. That’s our bread and butter.”
But nowadays, he said, it’s the higher-priced Cuisinart cooking products that are actually faring better against the economy.
”People are cooking more at home and that helps the Cuisinart line,” he said. “While it’s slowing down, it’s not like the auto industry.”

