Dan River to cut 312 employees

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 6/24/2004 12:00:00 AM

DANVILLE, Va. — Dan River will cut 312 positions, including 100 salaried jobs and 212 associates, by eliminating a total of three shifts at its Piedmont comforter plant and sheet sewing operation.

"Recognizing the impact on our affected associates, the decision to make these reductions was regretfully made only after careful consideration," said Joseph Lanier Jr., Dan River chairman and CEO. "However, these moves are necessary because of continued slow sales of our bedding products, and the need to bring costs more in line with the current level of sales."

In other news, the bankruptcy court will hold a hearing next week to consider Dan River's request that it be allowed to reject some of its licensing agreements. The company declined to specify which licensing agreements it wishes to jettison. Dan River holds bedding licenses for Alexander Julian, Lilly Pulitzer and several juvenile programs. The hearing will take place June 29 in Newnan, Ga.