Governor Bob McDonnell announced that Inc.,a global consumer goods company with more than a century of history and a portfolio of leading apparel essentials,will invest$1.6 million in its Patrick County operation.The company will upgrade by adding new high-speed fabric manufacturing equipment at the plant to adjust to market conditions,retaining 215 jobs and adding 50 new jobs.
In addition to its fabric production plant in Woolwine in Patrick County,HanesBrands also operates a highly automated distribution center in Martinsville,employing approximately 400.
Speaking about this announcement,Governor McDonnell said,"HanesBrands is an important employer in Patrick County and the Commonwealth,and this investment and upgrade will ensure the continued vitality of its textiles operation in Southern Virginia.The company's consumer goods can be found in eight of 10 American households,and we are proud that Virginia contributes to the production of HanesBrands.
The talented and ample workforce in Patrick County has been vital to the success of the plant,and 50 new employment opportunities will greatly benefit the region."
"This project is significant for both HanesBrands and Patrick County,"said Jim Cheng,Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade."The company will upgrade its equipment technology to adjust to market conditions and increase production,making the plant more competitive while retaining an important 215 jobs and adding 50 new jobs in Southern Virginia."
"We have a great workforce and long history in Woolwine and Southern Virginia,"said Bruce Duncan,HanesBrands'vice president of innerwear operations."We are looking forward to adding greater flexibility to our Woolwine operations and doubling our current production.In the highly competitive worldwide apparel industry,our challenge is to bring on additional employees in order to run these machines at high speed and efficiency with excellent quality."
HanesBrands is a socially responsible leading marketer of everyday basic apparel under some of the world's strongest apparel brands,including Hanes,Champion,Playtex,Bali,JMS/Just My Size,barely there,Wonderbra and Gear For Sports.The company sells T-shirts,bras,panties,men's underwear,children's underwear,socks,hosiery,casualwear and activewear produced in the company's low-cost global supply chain.
Ranked No.512 on the Fortune 1000 list,Hanes has approximately 53,300 employees in more than 25 countries and takes pride in its strong reputation for ethical business practices.Hanes is a U.S.Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star 2012 Sustained Excellence Award winner and 2010 and 2011 Partner of the Year.The company ranks No.152 on Newsweek magazine's list of Top 500 greenest U.S.companies.More information about the company and its corporate social responsibility initiatives,including environmental,social compliance and community improvement achievements,may be found on the Hanes corporate website at www.hanesbrands.com.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Patrick County and the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance to secure the project for Virginia.The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved$305,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project.
The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program,administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program,the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company's recruitment and training activities.
"In light of the current economic conditions of the region and Patrick County,we feel this project will definitely make a positive impact,"said Crystal Harris,Smith River District Board of Supervisors.
"It also benefits us in our effort to attract future prospects to the area.Our staff has worked diligently with VEDP,SVRA and VDBA and the Virginia Tobacco Commission for several months in securing the grant for this expansion,and we are very excited to be making this announcement in conjunction with Governor McDonnell's office.HanesBrands has been a pillar to our community for over 56 years,employing many and exhibiting a stellar example of corporate citizenry.We welcome and encourage them with this and any future endeavors."
"The Tobacco Commission's goal is to help bring jobs to the tobacco region foot print,and HanesBrands'project helps with this initiative,"said Delegate Terry Kilgore,Chairman of the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission."This well-known company is a great asset to Patrick County."