Shaw Industries will cut 194 jobs at its Columbia, S.C., fiber manufacturing facility, the company announced Thursday.

“This reduction is being made to balance production across Shaw’s heatset fiber facilities,” a company press release said.

Earlier this month, Shaw announced plans to lay off about 270 workers when it closes a carpet manufacturing plant on Riverbend Drive in Dalton.

Representatives from Shaw’s human resources group were in Columbia on Thursday assisting employees with issues related to the staff reduction. Shaw is also working closely with South Carolina’s Department of Employment and Workforce Rapid Response group. The Rapid Response group will provide impacted employees with information on training, other career opportunities and unemployment benefits. Shaw will also coordinate a job fair where the impacted workers can meet with employers.

“Shaw expresses its sincere gratitude to the associates at Plant 8S for their years of support and service,” the press release said. “The decision to reduce staffing at Plant 8S in no way reflects on their performance. Shaw will continue to position and strengthen its manufacturing base, not only to compete today, but to better position itself for growth as conditions improve in the future.”

Earlier this year Shaw closed a spun yarn plant in Chatsworth, and plants in Eton and Ringgold have restructured production schedules, resulting in fewer shifts. About 670 total Shaw workers have been laid off in the area, had their hours cut or switched jobs because of the changes.

Dalton-based Shaw Industries, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, is the world’s largest carpet manufacturer with $4 billion in annual sales and approximately 24,000 employees.

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