Canadian active apparel importer Gildan Activewear will close two U.S. warehouses, in Alabama and Virginia, and consolidate its operations in a new distribution center in Charleson, SC, according to The Post and Courier newspaper.
Montreal-based Gildan paid $60 million for the 580,000-sq.-ft. distribution center, the newspaper said. The square footage does not include upper level mezzanines and office space. The facility, which is equipped with high-tech racks and a precision flooring system, will house about 200 employees by May.
The DC will initially be used to handle imported socks and underwear for delivery to mass merchandisers and other retailers. According to the newspaper, Gildan uses a combination of undisclosed East Coast ports to bring in its goods, which are mostly made in Central America and the Caribbean basin.
The warehouses that Gildan is closing are based in Fort Payne, AL, and Martinsville, VA, the newspaper said. The company will continue to serve its wholesale customers from a warehouse in Eden, NC.