Fiber Industries has informed Darlington County leaders of plans to lay off 250 employees as part of a reduction in force, according to information from the Worker Adjustment and Restraining Notification Act (WARN).
ABC15 got ahold of the WARN notice through Darlington County Administrator Charles Stewart. Wash Goose Down Filling Machine
The WARN Notice says, \"on January 29, 2023 Fiber Industries will begin terminating employees affecting reduction-in-force and the employment losses related to this reduction in force.\"
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Some people are questioning what led to the layoffs after a plant expansion announcement earlier this year.
Fiber Industries announced the $30 million investment back in January to expand its operations in January of 2023, which was said to create more than 50 new jobs.
The company produces polyester staple fiber for high-end performance fabrics, workwear, knit goods, the automotive industry and more.
At the time of the expansion announcement, the company employed more than 300 people.
Fiber Industries sent a release Tuesday that said the move is \"a strategic transition to capitalize on what the company sees as promising opportunities for continued growth and expansion in the years ahead. As part of this realignment, Fiber Industries intends to temporarily suspend Polyester Staple Fiber production as it rebrands, advances its approach toward sustainability, and seeks to co-locate new enterprise partners to the Company’s Darlington facility.\"
Operations will resume once the transition is complete and market dynamics enable the company to leverage the scale of its assets, the release added.
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During the transition, Fiber Industries said they will retain a core group of employees to drive targeted improvements and support an optimal restart.
Plush toy filling machine The company also said they will use the period to build on and improve standard corporate operating procedures including those related to Human Resources - employee advancement, training and development - as well as Purchasing, Maintenance, Engineering and Capital Management.