VIDALIA — Leaders with Fruit of the Loom have contacted Vidalia officials about continuing operations in the city through March 31.
Martin Mills Inc., a subsidiary of Union Underwear Company, announced May 11 it would permanently close Vidalia Apparel Fruit of the Loom distribution center and vacate the building by Dec. 31, 2016. The company had 167 employees at the time of the announcement, but announced layoffs would start occurring in July.
The company announced plans in June to donate the facility — which was built on city property — to Vidalia.
Kirby Jordan, vice president of corporate communications, said the company is now employing approximately 100 people. She said business is strong and the company is working with the city to potentially remain in the facility through March 31.
“We have decided to continue and extend our operations there until early next year,” she said. “We feel like this is a way we can still continue through an extension. It makes sense for all parties involved.
“We’d like to thank (Mayor) Buz Craft and the city for this opportunity.”
Craft said Donald Watts, the vice president of distribution, reached out to him about forming a potential agreement.
However, Craft said a complication does exist, as a prospective company is interested in the facility. Craft said officials with the city need to make sure this extension will not hinder any plans being made by the prospective company.
Craft said he would like to work out a deal to accommodate both Fruit of the Loom and the prospective company’s needs.
Craft said he would not release the name of the prospective business due to a confidentiality clause.
Vidalia apparel opened in 1995 and is housed in a 900,000-square foot building in the Vidalia Industrial Park and distributes Fruit of the Loom’s casual wear and intimate apparel product lines.
In 2014, the company laid off 150 workers in a permanent reduction of its workforce.