Jewelry manufacturer and distributor Stuller, Lafayette, La., is reducing its workforce by 45 employees in a realignment of its management team.

JCK has learned that among the dismissed were Joseph Buttross, Stuller’s vice president for diamonds, and Ray Weiland, vice president of manufacturing.

“This restructuring process is designed to streamline our daily business operation,” Matt Stuller, chief executive officer and founder of the company, said in a statement. “We believe this will help us sharpen our focus on our core customers while enhancing our ability to react to constantly changing conditions in the marketplace.”

The company cited the high cost of precious metals and the national economic outlook for the remainder of 2008 as reasons for the layoffs. The reduction represents 2.5 percent of Stuller’s 1,770 employees.

In a brief interview, spokesman Scott Brazda said Stuller remained committed to Lafayette. Stuller is one of the city’s largest employers.