WHITSETT, N.C. (WFMY) -- Atlanta-based Serta Simmons Bedding plans to close operations at its plant in Whitsett, N.C.
The closing will eliminate 112 jobs at the plant. Serta said the plant will close by September 7, 2018.
The company said it was a hard decision to close the plant but it wants operations for two brands produced under one roof.
Serta released the following statement:
“As the largest bedding manufacturer in North America, we continually evaluate how best to utilize our extensive manufacturing network to better serve our retail customers and consumers. Part of our longer-term strategy is to produce both of our brands (Serta and Beautyrest) under one roof, where possible. With this in mind, we have made the difficult decision to close our Whitsett, North Carolina, plant and transfer this volume to other plants in our network.”
Serta will provide impacted employees with severance and access to the company’s Employee Assistance Program.
But closure will still trickle down and impact local businesses, like Ciao Pizza, which is just a mile and half from the plant.
"Definitely impact us and all community here. Us as a restaurant, a lot of them come for lunch. Most of them have only thirty minutes so they pick-up," says Biagio Lubrano, Owner of Ciao Pizza Italian Restaurant.
Serta also plans to coordinate with North Carolina’s Rapid Response Program to provide support such as resume writing and job search help.
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