WPS to close Hickory plant, cut 300

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 10/1/2004 2:33:00 PM

WEST POINT, Ga. — WestPoint Stevens will close its Longview Plant in Hickory , N.C. , at the end of the year as part of a continued restructuring of the company to gain a stronger position in the marketplace, it announced late this afternoon.

Longview employs about 300 and makes bedding accessories.

“For WestPoint Stevens to successfully compete in today’s global economy, we must follow a strategic plan to balance our domestic manufacturing and sourced products,” said Chip Fontenot, WestPoint president and CEO. “A reduction of our domestic manufacturing will give the company greater flexibility and better-aligned capacity for competing more effectively in the world market.”He added, “We greatly appreciate the associates at Longview — indeed all our associates — whose skills and perseverance over the years have helped WestPoint Stevens become a home fashions leader, and we regret that demands of the global economy make such changes necessary.”