Dalton, Ga.-based carpet manufacturer Beaulieu of America Inc. has announced it will shutter three
plants as a result of decreased carpet demand. Affected facilities include its Riverbend and Dalton
Model plants in Dalton, both of which produce tufted and finished carpet; and its yarn processing
facility in Eufala, Ala. In all, approximately 510 employees will be impacted.
Production at the Riverbend plant – which has been operating since 1988 and employs 170
people – and the Dalton Model plant – which has been operating since 1989 and employs approximately
150 people – will cease by year’s end and be transferred to other carpet facilities. Production at
the Eufala plant, which has been operating since 1998 and employs 190 people, will cease within the
next 60 days and be transferred to other locations closer to the company’s carpet facilities in
Dalton, Ga.
According to Beaulieu President and CEO Ralph Boe, the company will make an effort to offer
the affected associates jobs at other Beaulieu locations. Most of the Riverbend jobs will be
transferred with production.
“It’s very important that people don’t read anything into all these recent events,” Boe
said. “These moves were necessary to adjust capacity with market demand. Beaulieu now enters 2012
well positioned. We announced securing a $230 million loan refinance in October and we’re showing
strong performance in several areas.”
November 22, 2011
