The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, March 13, edition that Dorel Industries laid off workers last quarter due to low furniture demand despite its best financial results in 2-1/2 years. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe reports that the maker of children's products and home furniture cut 40 employees in the latter segment -- about 5 per cent of its North American total. Dorel head Martin Schwartz said Tuesday, "We basically restructured in a way where we've combined a couple of our operating units under one operating unit and reduced staff." Dorel also laid off 30 employees at its juvenile segment, which sells car seats and strollers. The cuts make up 1 per cent of the segment's then head count of 2,740. The layoffs made up the bulk of Dorel's cost-reduction strategy, leaving it with 3,885 workers as of Dec. 30. The total cost of the job cuts amounts to $4.6-million (all figures U.S.), mainly in severance and termination benefits. The move is seen yielding $6.5-million in savings this year. Mr. Schwartz said, "We're expecting a return on that right away." Dorel posted a net loss of $3.8-million for the quarter ended Dec. 31, a big improvement from its $41.4-million loss in the same period last year.