FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – The Gildan Distribution Center in Hamer will close at the end of July, according to a company spokesperson.

Gildan, an apparel manufacturer, will lay off 54 employees at the end of July when it closes it’s center in Dillon County, confirms the company’s Corporate Communications Director Genevieve Gosselin. 

“Unfortunately, a total of 54 employees are being impacted by this consolidation in Hamer. In compliance with the WARN Act, they were given more than a 60-day notice,” Gosselin states.

The company says salaried and hourly employees will receive retention bonuses and severance packages at the end of their employment. Gosselin adds that the workers will also be given the opportunity to transfer to another Gildan center depending on skillset and open positions.

SC Works predicts Gildan’s closing date as July 27.

Below is Gildan’s complete statement:

At the end of April, we announced to our employees that we would be closing our distribution center in Hamer, SC, at the end of July due to changing market conditions. We have decided to consolidate distribution capacity, better leverage our existing infrastructure and utilize our resources more efficiently by consolidating the operations of the Hamer distribution facility into our larger scale facility in Charleston, SC. We believe that this reorganization will improve operational efficiencies and allow us to better serve our customers given the evolving marketplace.

Unfortunately, a total of 54 employees are being impacted by this consolidation in Hamer. In compliance with the WARN Act, they were given more than a 60-day notice. Salaried and hourly employees will also receive retention bonuses in addition to severance packages at the end of their employment period and employees will be given the opportunity to transfer to other Gildan locations depending upon skillset and open positions available.

This was not an easy decision for us and I can assure you that it was only made after a thorough and careful analysis. We regret the impact that this difficult decision will have on our employees and their families and we will make every effort to alleviate the impact of this transition on them.