By By MaryClaire Foster
A division closing in Georgia could be good news for former employees laid off from Masland Carpets Inc. during April cutbacks.
The company plans to gradually remove carpet-tufting machines from its Eton, Ga. facility and transfer them to the Atmore facility by the end of 2009’s first quarter, which would be March 28.
Dixie Group Inc. announced last week that this would be one of several new restructuring measures in order to cut costs, including cutting 5 to 7 percent of its 1,300 workers.
Chief Financial Officer Gary Harmon said this would not affect the Atmore or Saraland facilities.
He did say it could possibly create the opportunity for those laid off in April to be re-hired.
The rehire would occur on the same timeline as the machines being moved.
The eight machines will be disassembled one at a time and will be gradually moved to Atmore. While each machine is being disassembled and relocated, the remaining machines will continue to run until they are each moved.
The move will cause 30 to 40 Georgia employees to be laid off.
Joe Liffick, plant manager of Masland Carpets Inc. could not be reached for comment.