Levi set to close down facility
The Levi distribution facility at Gluckstadt will close, company officials announced earlier this month.
Levi Strauss & Co. released a statement that said they are still working on details on precisely when the plant will close.
“The workers in the Canton distribution center played a large part in making Levi Strauss & Co. the company it is today,” the statement says. “As we finalize plans and timelines, we promise to do all we can to do right by our employees and the community.”
The statement mentioned “operational costs” and “infrastructure needs” as reasons for the closure.
“As Levi Strauss & Co. looks to the future, we have been in the process of reviewing our global distribution network to identify where changes are needed to provide the best consumer experience possible,” the statement says.
“We ultimately came to the conclusion that due to accelerating operational costs and infrastructure needs we must wind down operations at the Canton distribution center. This is not a decision we take lightly.”
Levi began operations in 1981 and is one of Madison County’s oldest Corporate Citizens, accoridng to the Madison County Economic Development Authority.
"It is unfortunate that we have heard from Levi’s Corporate office that the Gluckstadt’s Operation will be closing," MCEDA Executive Director Joey Deason said.
"It is unknown by MCEDA at this time when the actual closing will take place," He went on to say. "It is my understanding that under US Labor Law that a Warn Notice must be issued to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security 60 days in advance of closure."
"This notice will allow MCEDA time to work with The Mississippi Development Authority, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, and Levi to develop a strategic plan to re-employ as many employees as possible as soon as possible."
Another statement from the company clarifies that a mention in the Clarion Ledger that Levi Strauss & Co. will be moving their Mississippi operation to Kentucky is “not accurate.”
The plant is located at 501 Denim Way in Gluckstadt in the Central Mississippi Industrial Center.
Deason said they are aware of the planned closure and hopes they can find jobs for current Levi employees at existing businesses in Madison County.
“MCEDA has already received inquires from other industries within Madison County concerning hiring the available Levi employees,” Deason said “With growing companies such as Amazon, Clark Beverage, UPS, Southern Beverage, and Nissan to name a few. We hope to assist in finding Levi employees a new home.”
This comes months after Amazon Web Services announced a $10 billion data center will be built in Madison County.