Mohawk Downsizing at Waynesboro, Va. Plant

Waynesboro, VA, Jan. 16, 2009--About 73 employees at Waynesboro's Mohawk Industries will be laid off.

In addition to the layoffs, the carpet manufacturer will leave idle two of the plant's machines, although reports indicated the plant will remain open. The plant produces carpet backing.

Waynesboro Councilwoman Lorie Smith said council was briefed by the company of their closing without providing much details or an explanation. She said the company told them they did not expect to immediately send a press release out.

Mohawk Industries purchased the plant that was formerly owned by Wayn-Tex in 2005.

Nearby Invista, like Mohawk, has been rocked by the housing slide and the corresponding drop in carpet demand. Invista, the city’s largest employer, announced in December that it would lay off 342 company and contract workers next month. More than a third of the company workforce – or 210 workers – will be laid off Feb. 9.