WestPoint Stevens Will Close Remainder Of Rosemary Complex

WestPoint Stevens Will Close Remainder Of Rosemary Complex In Strategy Adjustment To Address
DemandWestPoint Stevens announced today that the company will permanently close the remainder of
its Roanoke Rapids, N.C., Rosemary Complex as it adjusts its business plan to address current
economic projections.Preparations for shutting down the facility will get under way in early May to
meet a projected closing date of June 28. Ultimately, some 320 Rosemary associates will be
affected.”The Company has decided that this plant will not be converted to produce Basic Bedding
product as previously announced,” said Basic Bedding Division President Art Birkins. “Recent
capital investments in our existing Basic Bedding plants have provided us with a dramatic increase
in efficiency and yield — all the capacity we require for both our immediate and long-term growth.
To stay competitive in a market that’s increasingly global, it’s necessary to constantly scrutinize
our operations to eliminate any excess capacity.”WestPoint Stevens acquired the facilities in 1997
for additional towel capacity, then closed Rosemary Greige Plant in early 2001 in a move to
consolidate greige manufacturing in locations that provided the most efficient workflow. The
workforce at the remaining Rosemary Finishing and Fabricating plants, as well as Rosemary
Distribution Center, was reduced by some 125 shortly after.WestPoint Stevens Inc. is the nation’s
premier home fashions consumer products marketing company, with a wide range of bed linens, towels,
blankets, comforters and accessories marketed under the well-known brand names GRAND PAtrICIAN,
PAtrICIAN, MARTEX, ATELIER MARTEX, BABY MARTEX, UTICA, STEVENS, LADY PEPPERELL, SEDUCTION, VELLUX
and CHATHAM — all registered trademarks owned by WestPoint Stevens Inc. and its subsidiaries —
and under licensed brands including RALPH LAUREN HOME, DISNEY HOME, GLYNDA TURLEY and SIMMONS
BEAUTYREST. WestPoint Stevens is also a manufacturer of the MARTHA STEWART and JOE BOXER bed and
bath lines. WestPoint Stevens can be found on the World Wide Web at www.westpointstevens.com .
PR Newswire Press Release

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