Producer and processor of multi- filament polyester and nylon textured yarns, Unifi, Inc. has announced that it is to restructure its nylon business unit, located in Rockingham County, North Carolina, in an attempt to improve efficiency.

The company will close plant one in Mayodan, North Carolina and move its operations and offices to plant three in nearby Madison, North Carolina, which is the nylon division's largest facility. Despite the closure, the company stated that it expects fewer than 30 current jobs will be lost as a result, and the majority of employees will be transferred to the remaining plant. This move is aimed at centralising production and increasing the overall efficiency of the nylon business unit operations. It will begin in September, with the majority of the process being completed by December 2005. The remainder will be completed by March 2006.

"While Unifi has made progress towards returning the company to profitability over the past year, our work is still far from being finished, and we have not yet obtained our goal," said Bill Lowe, chief operating officer and CFO for Unifi. "Despite past efforts, the nylon business unit has continued to report disappointing results over the past couple of years and operate in more facilities than the current business environment requires. We are also reviewing our product mix similar to our efforts last year in the polyester division and are considering other actions to improve the nylon business. Unifi is committed to improving the health of the nylon business and is taking these steps to improve its operations and increase its profitability."