WPS realigns sheeting production; 300 cut

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 12/1/2003 12:00:00 AM

WEST POINT, GA —

– WestPoint Stevens is laying off 300 employees its Lanier Plant in Valley, AL, curtailing operations as the company aligns its capacity with other facilities better equipped to produce popular sheeting styles.

The affected associates will be placed on leave of absence or, where possible, offered employment at other WestPoint facilities in the area as the company decides on the future of Lanier, which opened in 1967 and houses two plants under the same roof. Its sister plant, Carter, was converted from sheeting to towel production in 2002.

Robert Lanier, WestPoint's vp bed products manufacturing, explained, "Lanier Plant is an excellent facility that can possibly be well used for other purposes, but unfortunately it is equipped to run styles that are no longer in demand. With the more modern machinery that we have at other facilities, it makes the most sense to focus our capacity on these plants."