WestPoint to Close Plants, Dismiss 700

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 9/18/2006 12:00:00 AM

WestPoint, Ga. —

Under steady pressure from low-cost imports, WestPoint Home will shutter its two remaining greige weaving plants in the United States, both in Alabama, putting about 700 workers out of a job.

The company will close plants at Opelika and Lanett, Alabama effective Nov. 5. About 375 workers will be affected at the Lanett Mill, and 325 at Opelika.

While the Opelika greige facility will be closed, a finishing plant there, employing about 400, will remain in operation. Following the layoffs, WestPoint Home about will employ about 2,500 workers in the Valley area.

The impending plant closings are just the latest at WestPoint, as part of an ongoing overhaul of operations as the company struggles to rebuild sales and gain a footing in a challenging and constantly shifting global economy. In January, the major mill closed its Fairview towel plant in Valley, Ala., resulting in the loss of about 300 jobs.