Burlington's Wake Forest Plant to Close; 730 Workers Affected

Watch a 12-second, 1MB QuickTimemoviefrom Burlington Industries.

Abut 730 employees ofBurlington Industries'knitting plant in Wake Forest as the plant is closed over the next two to three months, the textile company announced Wednesday.

Burlington Industries also is closing a plant in Davidson County, leaving another 370 workers without jobs. Both plants are part of the company's Knitted Fabrics Division.

"The Knitted Fabrics Division has been unprofitable for a number of years," said Burlington President George Henderson. "Almost two years ago, we began an intensive effort to turn it around. We changed management, consolidated operations and revitalized our product lines, but the division as a whole has not returned to profitability."

The unit is one of nine divisions of the Greensboro-based company and represents about 6 percent of the company's total sales.

Shirley Parker has been an employee of the Wake Forest plant for 13 years. She says she wasn't totally taken by surprise.

"We regret the impact of this decision in our employees," Henderson said. "We will do our best to assist them in making the transition to other opportunities."

Personnel Manager Tim Beckham told WRAL-TV5's Bret Baier that employees can expect some help finding other work. Listen toauorReal Audiofile.

Employees at the Wake Forest and Davidson County plants will get at least 60 days notice and will be entitled to severance and other benefits. They also will be given priority consideration for any openings at other Burlington plants.

While announcing the shutdown of the two Knitted Fabrics plants, Burlington announced that it will expand production at its Lakewood plant near Statesville, where about 110 jobs will be added