Last Major US Jeans Manufacturer to Close US Plant

VF Jeanswear, the world's largest maker of jeans, will close a laundry and finishing plant in Winston-Salem, N.C., that employs nearly 400 people and move the work out of the country, company officials said Monday.

The plant is the last major production facility in the U.S. operated by Greensboro, N.C.-based VF Corp., the parent company of VF Jeanswear. The company began phasing out operations at the plant Monday and will close it in March.

"I would say we're the last major apparel maker to exit the U.S.," said Sam Tucker, vice president of human resources for VF Jeanswear. "From a manufacturing standpoint, you know, we held out here a long time."

VF Jeanswear It's the largest apparel company in the world, and its brands include Nautica, Jansport, North Face and Vanity Fair. Levi Strauss has the most jean sales worldwide measured by dollar volume, but VF says it sells more pairs of jeans under such brands as Wrangler, Lee, Rustler, Brittania, Chic, Gitano, H.I.S. and Earl Jean.

Layoffs will begin after the new year, and the plant will operate with about 60 percent of its current work force until it closes, Tucker said. Most of the work will be shifted to contractors in Central America, primarily in Costa Rica.

VF Wear CEO Mackey McDonald, 58, said. The most important thing is to stay competitive. If you don't, all jobs will be lost. We stay competitive and increase some of the higher-paying jobs. The American consumer will buy the best product at the best price. That's the deciding factor, and you can't lose sight of it.

(Original Article, 7 November 2006, Database Recovered)