(WIBW) - A Hallmark Cards executive is backing up comments from the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce on why the company is leaving Topeka.

In a letter to the editor of the Topeka Capital Journal, Pete Burney, who's senior vice president for supply chain and business enablement, writes the decision to consolidate from three to two Kansas manufacturing facilities was based on a need to streamline operations and improve cost structure.

Burney said Lawrence and Leavenworth were the sites chosen because they are close to other Hallmark facilities and have lower fixed costs. He says no incentives Topeka could have offered would have made any difference.

The letter seems to support comments from Chamber officials who said there is nothing they could have done to prevent Hallmark from closing its Topeka facility.

Hallmark plans to cease operation at its Topeka facility by the end of 2013. It has about 500 employees. The company says it is working with the community to make the transition as easy as possible.