Hanesbrands To Shutter Two Narrow Elastic Plants

Hanesbrands Inc., Winston-Salem, N.C., has announced plans to close its narrow elastic production
plants in Advance and Asheboro, N.C., by the end of June 2008, resulting in the loss of
approximately 120 jobs. Going forward, the company will outsource that production, which comprises
waistbands mainly for women’s and girls’ underwear that it already is making up outside the United
States, to suppliers located around the world.


“We regret the need to close these facilities and the effect it will have on our employees and
their communities,” said Gerald Evans, executive vice president and chief global supply chain
officer. “These are well-run operations with very good workforces, but apparel has become a global
industry,” he added, noting that sending elastic produced in its US facilities to its offshore
facilities for inclusion in end products constructed there is not cost-effective.

Evans said the company would attempt to place terminated employees in positions at other
operations when openings become available. Affected employees also will be eligible for severance
benefits and US Trade Adjustment Act assistance.

Hanesbrands currently employs 6,600 people at its various North Carolina facilities including
headquarters, manufacturing plants, distribution centers and outlet stores.

January 29, 2008

SHARE