Springs shuts Lyman finish operations

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

FORT MILL, SC —

Springs Industries will permanently close a finishing operation at its Lyman Complex in Lyman, SC, and consolidate production at Grace Complex, the company's primary finishing plant in Lancaster, SC.

The transfer will reduce employment at Lyman by 200 but create about 50 jobs in Lancaster.

The move does not affect dyeing, sewing, distribution and other operations at Lyman Complex, which will employ about 800 people when the finishing and printing departments begin phasing out Jan. 31, 2004, and close by March 1. Job openings at Lyman, Grace and other Springs' facilities will be offered to employees affected by the move.

"We're going to do everything we can to help them," said Jeff Nigh, senior vp of manufacturing for bedding at Springs.

"Springs has to reduce costs and operate as efficiently as possible in order to improve our business," explained Nigh. He said consolidating the two finishing plants will improve flexibility and enable Grace Complex to produce bedding fabrics at a lower cost.