Godfrey Hirst To Close Australian Carpet Factory

Benalla, Australia, Oct. 17, 2011 — Carpet manufacturer Godfrey Hirst is shutting its Benalla factory.

Benalla Spinners has been owned by Godfrey Hirst since 1993.

Godfrey Hirst said demand for wool carpet has continued to decline. In addition, the strong Australian dollar has made exporting more difficult and has made imports from New Zealand and China much less expensive.