11 January 2010, Fort Payne, Alabama - DeSoto Mills, a
manufacturer of socks and hosiery and subsidiary of Fruit of the Loom, is to
close leaving 104 workers without jobs, the company announced on Friday. The
announcement comes shortly after the layoff of hundreds of workers from Cooper
Hosiery in Fort Payne in December.
John Shivel, Sr., Vice President of communications for Fruit
of the Loom, DeSoto’s parent company, told
the Times-Journal that company’s Fort Payne facility would begin permanently
shutting down on or around 9 March 2010 and would be completely closed by June
1.
Shivel said the shutdown was result of continued consolidation
efforts by the company to remain competitive in a global competitive market. He
said sales and support operations would be relocated to the company
headquarters in Bowling Green, Kentucky and distribution operations would be
absorbed into the company’s other existing distribution centres.
“This decision is in no way a reflection on the dedication
and efforts of the people at the DeSoto Mills operation,” said Robby Davis,
Vice President and General Manager of DeSoto Mills. “This reflects our ongoing
efforts to streamline operations and build on the synergy and strengths of the
company, which is based in Bowling Green. We will be in discussion with people
who will be asked to relocate as a part of this consolidation.” Durham said he
hoped DeKalb County is nearing the end of hosiery mill layoffs.
“We hate it for the workers and those involved in the
layoff, but are keeping faith that the economy will turn around soon,” he said.
“Even though this has a big negative impact, the positive side is that we do
have a large, available workforce for companies that might want to locate
here.”
Durham said, despite the downturn, some local hosiery
companies, such as Renfro Hosiery are performing well. He said there are plans
for expansion at Renfro.
Source: times-journal.com
