Dalton-based Shaw Industries said it is expanding its operations in Calhoun, and will add 200 jobs at its previously idled facility there. Shaw expects the facility’s expansion to be completed by mid-2010. Meanwhile, Belgium’s IVC Group announced it will open its first plant in the U.S. in Dalton in 2011, bringing 115 jobs to the city.
Previous Shaw employees in the community who have been displaced over the past few months due to economic conditions will be given the first opportunity to fill the new positions.
“Our commitment to our customers and future growth drives our long-range planning,” said Vance Bell, Shaw Industries CEO. “This expansion of operations, which is located in a community and state we’ve had great experiences with, will give us the best competitive advantage and position for the long term.”
IVC currently operates a 220,000-square-foot distribution center in Dalton and another in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. The centers distribute a wide range of cushioned-back vinyl products designed specifically for the U.S. market.
“We reviewed proposals and looked at sites in many areas of the country,” said IVC US Inc. CEO Xavier Steyaert. “Ultimately, we’ve established strong roots here in the state of Georgia. So many positive factors combined to end our journey where it began — back home in Dalton.”
Shaw may be a top place to work if you are management type. But if you are blue collar you are treated second class.
As a worker who spent 25 years at Shaw. I wouldnt recommend anyone get a job there. The pay and benefits are very average.There hasnt been a real wage increase there in many years.
Even when the economy was good.
Shaw has made a point to be very disloyal to it's longterm employees.During the recent Layoffs in the Calhoun area. Many 20 year and over workers found out what a lifetime at Shaw got them.NOTHING
Don't know what records from #7 you have access to,maybe you work in an IE position. When you are making yarn that nobody wants. Numbers can say anything Not selling spun Carpet, not paying the bills...Right??
When Plant 7 closed,it was at the top of the list for Spun mills.They saw the list every monday morning.The employees did everything asked to do.
As a matter of Fact They were awarded a Pride Day 2 weeks before they were shut down. Shaw gave them checks in leiu of a Pride day.
Less than 5 employees from Plant 7 went to D5
I don't think 5 out of 400 is a good measuring stick on a group's work ethic.
As for the Overhaulers? I don't know how you arrived at that statement? Were they costing money or did you see them doing nothing?
Plant 7 was closed for a change to a selling product. Plant 7 had to many positives to remain closed.Location to tufting mills is one.
I bet new plans for DX will magically appear in 6 months too
Most of the Laid off workers from Plant#7 have not found new jobs. 100 have been retained by Shaw. Most off those 100 have taken major pay cuts to keep employment.20 of those 100 or so were management level.
As for training on new filament equipment over old spun yarn. That does not hold water. It takes less than a week to adapt.As a matter of fact. The new equipment is a breeze to operate.
Spun Yarn compared to filament is a much more complicated process.There is much less involved in a filament mill.I have been in d4 and d5 many times.There is no rocket science going on there.
The employees at 7 were told on shut down day that Plant was no longer needed due to the decline of spun yarn sales. They were also told that to switch the process over to something else was too costly. I guess things change in 6 months.
I just believe they deserved better than they got.Plant 7 was a top performing mill for Shaw when they closed.Poor management had them running the wrong product.
Giving the existing workers at D5 the first chance at "New Jobs" at The NEW "D7" just doesnt seem right