Dan River hopes to sell last remaining U.S. plant

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 7/7/2006 1:23:00 PM

Danville, Va. – Dan River is in talks to sell its last remaining production facility in the United States, a sheet and pillow case finishing and fabrication plant in Brookneal, Va.

Two weeks ago, the company announced that should it fail to find a buyer, the plant will begin shutdown procedures Aug. 22. The process would be completed by mid-September, according to Calvin Barnhardt, vp, human resources.

The news was not unexpected. Dan River was acquired by India-based Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd. (GHCL) in January 2006, and the new owner has made it clear that manufacturing would move off-shore. Some 400 jobs, primarily in product development, sales and marketing, distribution and administrative/support, will remain in the United States, Barnhardt said.

"As far as our customer, the retailer, is concerned, they will still be dealing with the same people," he added.