Mount Vernon Mills cuts 700 North Georgia jobs in Trion and Alto

Mount Vernon Mills denim plant in Trion, Georgia, on July 10, 2015. Staff file photo
Mount Vernon Mills denim plant in Trion, Georgia, on July 10, 2015. Staff file photo

Mount Vernon Mills is closing its mill in Alto, Georgia, and phasing out its yarn production at its Trion Denim Mill in Chattooga County.

The moves will cut a total of 700 jobs by March in North Georgia, according to company announcements and WARN notices filed with the Georgia Department of Labor. The Mauldin, South Carolina-based textile company announced last week it will cut 600 jobs as it closes its Alto, Georgia plant and the company announced this week it will cut 100 jobs in Trion as it phases out its yarn production at that plant.

"Mount Vernon Mills Inc. regretfully announces the decision to phase out all operations of only the yarn mill (including cotton receiving and carding through spinning) at its Trion Denim Mill," Mount Vernon Mills CEO William Duncan said in an announcement posted at the Trion mill. "The difficult move is being made to allow us to better focus our resources and people into running the yarn preparation, weaving and related areas of the Denim Mill along with the finishing plant in Trion fully and most efficiently."

Mount Vernon Mills said it will soon begin buying all of its yarn to support its remaining weaving operations from other providers.

"We have considered all options and believe this move is necessary to ensure our long term success in the markets we serve," Duncan said.

Randy Henderson, the manager of the denim mill in Trion, said the jobs being cut in Trion will be cut in February but other jobs will be added in other parts of the mill.

The Alto plant produced fabric and yarn for apparel and is being shut down as part of the company move to third party yarn suppliers. The two Georgia plants are among 15 U.S. facilities and plants operated by Mount Vernon Mills.

The company's mill in Trion dates back to 1845 when the first cotton mill was opened in northwest Georgia by Andrew Allgood, Spencer Marsh and Co. W.K. Briers. Mount Vernon Mills was acquired by the R.B. Pamblin Corp. in 1982.

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