Staunton Unifi closing to cost 145 jobs

By Bob Stuart

Published: May 14, 2008

Unifi Manufacturing is closing its Staunton facility Sept. 30, a move that will eliminate 145 jobs.
In a letter sent today by Tom Caudle, vice president of Unifi operations, the company says the Staunton facility is being closed to consolidate operations and reduce operating costs.
Caudle says the work that is being done will be transferred to the company’s Yadkinsville, N.C., facility.
“By announcing the decision at this time, we are providing all employees with at least 60 days advance notice of their job termination,’’ the letter says.
Unifi manufactures polyester and nylon textured yarns and related materials worldwide.
Ron Smith, the company’s chief financial officer, said the primary function of the Staunton plant has been to take the manufactured yarns and put them on 4-foot to 6-foot beams and ship the beams and yarn to customers.
Smith said many of the company’s customers are located in the Southeast, and said the Unifi products are used in both the automotive and apparel business.
“The automotive business has been impacted by the economy,’’ Smith said. And he said the transfer of the Staunton work to Yadkinsville will save the company fuel costs.
“We have a lot of customers in the Southeast and that’s part of the rationale. Gas prices are a part of it,’’ Smith said.
Smith said the Staunton operation is the company’s only one in Virginia. The remainder of Unifi’s domestic operations are in North Carolina. Domestically, Smith said the company now employs about 2,500.