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| Carhartt Closing Galesburg Distribution Facility - 16 Jobs To Be Lost -- FULL STATEMENT HERE |
A local clothing facility initially set up as a cutting and sewing center, and later became the distribution warehouse for closeout and irregular inventories will be closing its doors and cease operation sometime around August. Carhartt officials announced the closing of its Galesburg facility, resulting in 16 individuals losing their jobs.
In a released statement, officials say the company, which began operation in Galesburg in 1978, would like to acknowledge all of the dedicated years of service at the location, and they say they can't communicate enough how difficult this is for the company and they appreciate the hard work and commitment of all the associates affected by the closures.
Company spokesperson Lindy Bleau declined to be interviewed on the air, but said the employees of the Galesburg facility were notified this morning by Carhartt's employee assistance team and human resource management officials were also on hand to talk about career transition and unemployment benefits.
Bleau says the company tried to notify employees as soon as possible and leave them some time before the plant closes in August. She says a severance package was worked out with the employees because, in her words, people come first with Carhartt. She also says the closing is just another sign of the times. She said she doesn't know how the employees took the news but says they must have had some inclination since business was slowing down.
Carhartt is based in Dearborn, Michigan and employs more than 3,500 people around the world.
Following is the full statement issued by Carhartt:
Carhartt, a Michigan-based manufacturer of premium workwear, Wednesday announced the closing of its Galesburg distribution facility, resulting in a loss of 16 jobs. The facility will cease operations around Saturday, August 1st.
"It was an extremely difficult decision to eliminate this facility, but as we continue to face an ever-changing economy, we need to focus on managing our inventories appropriately to preserve the future growth of the company," said Richard Linville, vice president of distribution and logistics for Carhartt.
"We notified our Galesburg associates Tuesday morning of the news and will continue face-to-face conversations throughout the next few days," Linville further adds. "It's an unfortunate decision to make, but it's just one more signal of the changing times."
The Galesburg facility opened in 1978, initially as a cutting and sewing center, and later became the distribution warehouse facility for Carhartt's closeout and irregular inventories in 2006.
"Carhartt would like to acknowledge all of the dedicated years of service that the associates at this location have provided," said Linville. "We cannot communicate enough how difficult this is for Carhartt and how much we appreciate the hard work and commitment of all the associates who are affected by these facility closures." |
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| 06 02 09 by Newsroom |
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