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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

HanesBrands Invests $1.6 Millon To Expand Its Woolwine, Virginia, Production Center

11/19/2012
A consumer goods company, HanesBrands Inc , will invest $1.6 million at its Woolwine, Patrick County, Virginia operations center, with plans to hire 50 employees.

The company will upgrade its plant facility by adding new high-speed fabric manufacturing equipment 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, Virginia, employing approximately 400.

"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."

Governor Bob 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."

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Patrick County and the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance to provide incentives. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $305,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. The company is also 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.

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