JOHNSTON - — As part of a company-wide reduction in workforce,
Johnston’s Milliken & Co. plant will lose just under 40 employees
according to a member of the plant’s management team.

A press
release issued last week by the Spartanburg, S.C., based company stated
that an adjustment of its workforce — through a reduction of
approximately 650 employees —would be effective immediately. Reductions
at the company’s plant in Johnston were confirmed on Monday.
“

"We’re not providing plant-by-plant specifics, but just under
40 Johnston associates will be impacted by this announcement,”" said
plant Human Resources Manager Christina Trainor.

The reduction is being attributed to a significant downturn in markets the company serves, brought on by the current recession. The reduction will be spread across Milliken’s 47 locations world-wide. Affected associates are being counseled individually. “

"We have done everything we could to avoid arriving at this point, such as temporary stop-offs and rotating people out at our various manufacturing locations on a weekly basis, but at some point in time you have to bring some stability to your core workforce,"” said Richard Dillard, director of public affairs for Milliken. “It is a gut-wrenching process to have to tell some of your good, loyal, hard working people that, through no fault of their own, you have no work available for them."”

Dillard says that while the company is financially strong and well positioned to weather the current economic slump, these are unfortunate steps that must be taken to assure that remains the case.

Milliken & Co. announced in January that its plant in Barnwell would shut down.

The Johnston plant specializes in fabric formation and weaving operations for the textile company.