Curriculum supplier Group Publishing has reorganized its staff, laying off 26 employees—nearly 9% of its workforce.

"We combined a number of different business units together," said Rocky Gilmore, president of the Loveland, Colo.-based company, which before the downsizing had 289 employees. "While there were some new positions that were created, we had some other positions that went away."

The vacation Bible school, curriculum and children's ministry resources units now fall under the children's ministry group. "There are still teams within that unit that still focus on those products," Gilmore said.

The staff for the three units previously worked on separate marketing campaigns— reaching out to the same customers, which resulted in wasted effort and confusion for Group's clientele, he added. "This will allow us to coordinate how we communicate with our customers," said Gilmore, adding that the streamlining will mean fewer and more timely mailings.

The layoffs were not a result of the continuing economic downturn, Gilmore said. "It was more of how we could better serve our customers and continue to grow into the future," he said, noting that the affected staff received severance packages and career transition services.

Group's last reorganization was in November 2009, when 19 staff were laid off.

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