National Spinning Co. plans to lay off 100 workers and close its Whiteville yarn making facility in early 2024, according to a filing with the N.C. Department of Commerce.
The Washington, North Carolina based company said the layoffs would start on Jan. 15, 2024, and conclude at a later date when the plant closes.
In a letter to the state, President James Booterbaugh blamed declining business conditions over the past few years due to a shift by some customers to import yarns from China, Turkey and India.
“In addition, the rise of import garments due to de minimis shipments for online shopping has deteriorated sales at retail stores, thereby impacting our domestic supply chains,” said Booterbaugh in the letter.
He added that there are no feasible options to relocate any of the employees to other operations. The positions being cut include a vice president of operations and a plant manager.
Booterbaugh said in an email that several companies have expressed interest in purchasing the building and continuing some sort of manufacturing operation, partly because of the skilled workforce that is in place. He said many of the workers have been there for more than 20 years.
The company is the third-largest employer in Columbus County, according to the Columbus County Economic Development Commission.
National Spinning opened in 1921 and was publicly traded in the 1960s and ’70. It became an employee stock ownership plan company in the 1990s.
In addition to its yarn business, National Spinning has two other operating divisions. Hampton Art designs, produces, and merchandises consumer craft products. Carolina Nonwovens produces and distributes pads and rolls. In addition, National Spinning maintains, manage and leases space in its Washington facility alongside Kennedy Creek.
The company’s nonwoven facility is in Maiden.