SALISBURY, N.C. — Hundreds of people could soon be out of work in the Carolinas after a company announced it may have to close several plants.
DuraFiber Technologies has a self-imposed, 60-day deadline to find a buyer or people, like Michael Rufty, will be out of a job.
He said generations of his family have worked there, including his grandmother.
"This place actually gave me a chance to rebuild a life and start over and have a really good life going on,” employee Michael Ruffy said. And we kept hearing this person wants to buy us out, and wants this done. It's been a rollercoaster of emotions a lot."
The company makes polyester fiber for tires, seat belts, parachutes and tents. Competition has increased in the textile industry, and Durafibers Technology tried to lower production cost.
"While today's announcement is a difficult one to make, increased labor, energy, transportation and raw material costs, in addition to continued market pressures, have strained DuraFiber's finances to a point that is no longer sustainable," Executive Officer Frank Papa said in a statement.
Bakita Ellis's husband works at the plant in Salisbury, and her family counts on his paycheck every month to pay their bills.
"It hits hard for us to know that we have to find something else another alternative, another job," Ellis said.
Company officials said it will work to ensure a smooth transition for its employees, customers and suppliers during the next 60 days. Overseas operations in Mexico, Germany and France will not be impacted by the announcement.
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