Levis To Shut North American Plants, Cut Jobs (2,000 - Layoff Update)

[hatrack]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - "Jeans make Levi Strauss & Co. said on Thursday it would close its remaining North American manufacturing and finishing plants, putting nearly 2,000 employees out of work.

The job cuts and plant closures, in Canada and the United States, comes (sic) as the 150-year-old San Francisco-based company battles growing competition in a crowded jeanswear and apparel market.

Levi said it would close its sewing and finishing operations in San Antonio by year-end, displacing about 800 workers. Its three Canadian facilities -- two sewing plants in Edmonton, Alberta and Stoney Creek, Ontario, and a finishing center in Brantford, Ontario -- are expected to close in March, 2004, affecting about 1,180 workers, the company said in a statement."

EDIT

Levi said production from the San Antonio and Canadian facilities will be shifted to a third-party global sourcing network company, LS & Co."

EDIT/END

http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/030925/textiles_levistrauss_4.html

[frylock]

1. thanks, gray davis!

</sarc>

[Don_G]

2. Wasn't Davis

It was Shrimpy's policies and Wally World's Asia connections that made manufacturing in the US unprofitable. Besides, I stopped buying Levis several years ago when they traded quality for profits.

[mrsteve]

3. I buy used Levi's

1) They are already nicely broken in and faded.

2) Levi Strauss and company doesn't get a dime - my local 2nd hand store gets all the profits. :-)

[NashVegas]

9. I Used to Buy Levi's Until They Got Too Expensive

In the mid/late 1970s, Levi's cost like $12-$14 a pair.

When Calvin Klein introduced the concept of designer jeans, the price started up on its way to the roof - after all, if CK could sell an inferior jean for $10-$15 more for the glamor-tag, Levi's suddenly appeared low-rent and undervalued. So their caché had to come with a price now, too.

I stopped buying jeans altogether in the early '80s when the price for a good pair got out of hand in comparison.

I'd be curious to know if this was a case of stockholders forcing prices up for profits - and pricing themselves out of the market in the process.

Like you, I will occasionally pick up a pair at garage sales, etc.

[saigon68]

4. THANKS LEVI-STRAUSS

I'm sure the 12-14 year old children in India and the Prisoners in China who provide "slave labor" to make your product are eager for the new work.

I may be old and have a fat ass, but it won't be slipped into any of your future products.

It used to be the ILGWU Union label-- sad, its hard to find anything made in Amerika.

[ClintonTyree]

5. The jeans that helped............

build the American west...........now manufactured in Asia. I'll never buy another pair.

[yankeedem]

6. Puke worthy

http://www.levistrauss.com/about/vision/

"As colleagues, we also are committed to helping one another succeed. We are sensitive to each other's goals and interests, and we strive to ensure our mutual success through exceptional leadership, career development and supportive workplace practices."

Except if you work in a country with labor standards, in which case hit the bricks, deadbeat. F You levis.

[BadGimp]

7. another slice of the pies that is the American Dream is off the table

another slice of the pie that is the American Dream is off the table

we are so screwed and so few realize it

we did this to ourselves peeps

[saigon68]

8. DISGUSTING n/t

[ElsewheresDaughter]

10. FUCK LEVI'S...buy Carhartt...been around nearly as long and they make good

made in AMERICA products...jeans too...www.carhartt.com

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

11. Yep. Let's give a few more corporations tax breaks to move offshore.

:argh: