Pharr Yarns Scales Back on Slow Demand

McAdenville, SC, Jan. 16, 2009--Pharr Yarns has laid off 25 full-time employees as the company shifts its work force from a product line with reduced demand to more robust lines, according to the Gaston Gazette.

Pharr reported a decrease in sales for spun carpet yarn. Several more employees may lose their jobs in the coming weeks, but company officials hope to reassign displaced workers to other jobs whenever possible.

Carpet makers are buying less spun yarn as filament yarn increases its market share. Pharr has invested millions in an extrusion plant to produce the filament yarn, Collins said.

"We believe that the investments we're making will make us a stronger company going forward," he said.

Pharr operates six plants in Gaston County and York County, S.C. and has about 1,500 employees.