Shaw Cuts Workers, Energy Use

By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 6/9/2008 12:00:00 AM

Dalton, Ga. —

Due to reduced product demand coupled with higher production efficiencies, rug maker Shaw Industries Group is reducing its workforce at its nylon manufacturing plant in Lafayette, Ga. by 50 employees, bringing the site's total staff count down to 460.

The company attributed this labor cut at Plant 67, as Shaw refers to this facility, to "increased innovation in the plant's pre-dyed and space-dyed nylon manufacturing."

Other "external factors beyond the control of the company" that are "impacting the demands of the products generated" at the site, the company said, include the poor state of the housing market.

In other company news, Shaw has partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and pledged to reduce its energy intensity by 25% over the next decade. Shaw executives last week attended in Oak Ridge, Tenn. the Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit, which is part of an initiative meant to "energize" a Southeast regional partnership with the goal of improving industrial energy efficiency and productivity in the area.

"Shaw has already made great strides in energy efficiency, but we can do more. Saving energy not only makes better business sense, but it's the right thing to do for our environment and future," said Rick Ramirez, vp, sustainability and environmental affairs.

On that same note, Shaw recently became a "Founding Reporter" of The Climate Registry, positioning itself among a select group of more than 200 founding reporting entities.

The Climate Registry is a non-profit organization established to measure and publicly report greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in a common, accurate and transparent manner that is consistent across industry sectors and borders. It comprises 39 U.S. states, eight Canadian provinces, six Mexican states, three Native American tribes and the District of Columbia, all of which are founders of the organization. The Registry sets consistent and credible standards for the measurement, verification and public reporting of greenhouse gas emissions throughout North America in a single unified registry.

As part of The Climate Registry, Shaw will calculate, verify and publicly report GHG emissions annually.

"Shaw is serious about energy reduction," Ramirez said. "From becoming a Founding Reporter of The Climate Registry to committing in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to a 25% reduction in energy intensity, Shaw will continue to lead the industry in environmental sustainability while providing consistent and measurable results regarding the company's Shaw Green Edge promise."