Mohawk Preparing To Close Georgia Fiber Plant

Dahlonega, GA, May 30, 2008--Mohawk Industries' 50-year-old Pine Tree Plant is winding down its operations.

In the meantime, displaced employees are looking for jobs.

Turnout for a May 20 job fair exceeded all expectations, Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce President Gary Powers told the Dahlonega Nugget.

“The Georgia Department of Labor said if we got 125-150 (Mohawk workers) to show up, it would almost be a record for a plant closing,” he said. “We had 219 Mohawk people who came.”

Powers said local efforts will continue in coming weeks to offer all possible assistance to the Mohawk workers.

The Pine Tree plant manufactures carpet fiber, but has seen the amount spun at its Lumpkin County plant decrease from 9.2 million pounds to 4 million pounds over the past five years.

A shift in consumer preference in carpet fiber, along with consumer preference for hardwood and tile flooring and the current construction downturn, have been cited as reasons for closing the local facility.

The plant has been on four-day operation for the past several months.