Milliken & Company joins Parkdale in reworking its U.S. footprint.
The diversified global manufacturer with more than 70 locations internationally announced it will consolidate its U.S. textile manufacturing footprint to enhance operational efficiencies and increase production capacity.
Milliken said it will phase out operations at the Longleaf Plant, located in Sylvania, Ga., and transition all production lines to the expanded and modernized Magnolia Plant, located in Blacksburg, S.C. This decision positions Milliken for additional growth in its “Westex: A Milliken Brand” flame-resistant textiles and workwear business units by maximizing production capabilities at the Magnolia Plant.
The Spartanburg, S.C.-based company said it will retain and maintain the Longleaf property for the foreseeable future. The phase-out timeline includes offering continued employment opportunities at other Milliken locations to the approximately 260 Longleaf Plant associates. For those who do not want to transfer, the company has engaged local staffing partners to help connect associates with competitive jobs in the immediate area.
“At Milliken, we are committed to sustainable manufacturing and operational excellence,” said Kevin Brown, senior vice president of global operations for Milliken’s Textile Business. “This consolidation benefits our customers with increased capacity and helps us realize key sustainability and operational metrics. We recognize the valued service of our Longleaf associates and will make every effort to transfer those who wish to stay with Milliken or connect them with alternative employment.”
In addition to working with affected associates to place them in competitive roles, the company said it will also explore how to ensure its Longleaf campus contributes to the community.
“We have a long history of manufacturing excellence in Georgia, and we are committed to our shared growth and success in the future,” said Chad McAllister, executive vice president of the company and president of Milliken’s Textile Business. “This consolidation does not extend to other Milliken Georgia locations and does not signal additional production line realignments. We are grateful to everyone who made our time in Sylvania a success.”
The Longleaf Plant currently manufactures finished goods textiles, including engineered flame-resistant textiles, for workwear use. During the transition to Magnolia Plant, customer orders will be fulfilled with no anticipated inventory or external process changes. All other production lines at the Magnolia Plant will continue operations.