BROOKS BROTHERS MAY CLOSE ALL U.S. FACTORIES

According to multiple reports, Brooks Brothers will likely close its three American factories.

Just two months ago, Brooks Brothers made headlines for converting its three U.S. factories into production facilities for PPE in the fight against the Coronavirus. Now, according to a company spokesperson, there’s a good chance that those factories, including the Southwick factory in Haverhill, could be closed.

“In the ordinary course of business, Brooks Brothers consistently explores various options to position the company for growth and success,” a Brooks Brothers spokesperson said in a statement to MR. “As part of this assessment, it is likely that we will be closing our factories in Long Island City, New York; Garland, North Carolina, and Haverhill, Massachusetts.”

The company delivered WARN notices last week to the impacted employees in order to provide workers with sufficient time to prepare for potential loss of employment. “This decision is subject to change, should alternative solutions be uncovered in the near term,” the spokesperson said.

A New York Times article on Friday reported that the company “plans to lay off nearly 700 employees this summer at the factories, in Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina. Brooks Brothers is also trying to find buyers for the factories by mid-July, and expects to close them if it can’t.”

“The factories never made money for us, and at this moment all resources need to be maintained and saved to make sure we can come out on the other side of the crisis,” Brooks Brothers owner Claudio Del Vecchio told The Times.

“The factories are incredibly meaningful to our heritage and we value our employees,” the spokesperson continued. “All opportunities on the table are still being explored to avoid this difficult outcome.”