Around the States

Around the States

PENNSYLVANIA

WoolRich to Close Mill

Woolrich, Inc. has announced that it will be closing the Woolen Mill in Woolrich, Penn. It is anticipated that fabric manufacturing operations will cease by the end of the year and will affect up to 40 employees in the mill.

“The decision to close the mill was made following a comprehensive review of our overall woven fabric business and the considerable capital improvements needed to modernize and maintain viable operations,” said Woolrich President Nick Brayton. “Unfortunately, due to higher manufacturing costs, eroding margins and continued unprofitability within the Mill, it is no longer economically feasible to continue our Pennsylvania based Woolen Mill operation.

Woolrich will provide career transitional services for affected employees. Retirement and pension planning services will also be provided for those employees not seeking re-employment.

“We are eternally grateful to all our employees for their years of dedication and loyalty to the company and our number one priority right now is to help affected employees through this transition,” Brayton said. “While this was a very difficult decision, our strategic approach to align our collections globally remains our primary focus and we are continuing the next stage of the globalization of the Woolrich brand.”

The company plans to maintain its wholesale, retail, and e-commerce apparel businesses.

WASHINGTON

Martinez Family Featured on OutSide Online

There’s a decent chance that the wool in your outdoor gear came from these animals: the sheep from S. Martinez Livestock, near Mabton, Wash. It’s the last large-scale sheep-herding operation on the state’s public forestland. The wool goes to companies such as Farm to Feet, Pendleton, and Woolrich to be turned into American-made performance clothing.

The family’s operation – specifically the Peruvian sheepherders who work there – are featured in Outside Online’s Where Your Wool Comes From.

Check out the story amazing photography that accompanies it at https://www.outsideonline.com/2360806/sheep-herding-s-martinez-peru.

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