Woolrich Inc. announced on November 1, 2018, that it will close its woolen mill in Woolrich, Pennsylvania. The mill opened in 1845 and is described as the oldest continuously operating woolen mill in the USA.
The announcement
- Fabric production is expected to stop by the end of 2018.
- Up to 40 mill employees are affected. Woolrich said it will provide severance, outplacement help and job placement assistance.
- President Nick Brayton cited “higher manufacturing costs, eroding margins and continued unprofitability within the Mill,” along with the major capital improvements needed to modernize it.
“While this was a very difficult decision, our strategic approach to align our collections globally remains our primary focus,” Brayton said.
What stays
Woolrich plans to keep its wholesale, retail and e-commerce apparel businesses, and its corporate offices remain in Woolrich. Brayton told PennLive that blanket manufacturing will be outsourced to other domestic companies. With the mill closed, the company will no longer do any manufacturing at its headquarters site.
The company, founded in 1830, merged with its European partner two years earlier. The Express reported that the only other two woolen mills still operating in the USA are Pendleton in Portland, Oregon, and Faribault in Faribault, Minnesota.
FAQ
When will the Woolrich mill close?
Fabric production was expected to end by the end of 2018.
How many workers are affected?
Up to 40 mill employees.
Why is it closing?
Woolrich cited higher manufacturing costs, eroding margins, years of losses and the cost of modernizing the mill.
Source & credit
Source: WNEP: “Woolrich Closing Clinton County Woolen Mill”, November 1, 2018.
Also: PennLive: “Oldest continuously operating woolen mill in U.S. to close end of the year”; The Express: “Historic Woolrich mill closing”; WATE: “Woolrich to close Pa. mill”.