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FinanceElevate Textiles to permanently close Burlington finishing plant, laying off 150
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Elevate Textiles, Inc., owner of Burlington Industries, announced the permanent closure of its finishing plant in Burlington, North Carolina, effective December 31, 2026. The closure, disclosed in a WARN notice filed with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, will affect 150 employees. The plant specializes in textile finishing and dyeing. The company cited changing market dynamics and reduced production volumes as reasons for the shutdown, stating that despite efforts to identify new product lines, volumes remain too low to sustain viable operations. Most production is expected to be completed by September 30, 2026. The closure is a blow to the U.S. textile supply chain. Burlington, founded in 1923, produces performance synthetics, worsted wool, and blended fabrics for military, medical, uniform, and workwear markets. The company also operates facilities in China. Earlier in July 2026, Elevate Textiles celebrated the modernization of its dyehouse in Raeford, NC, which supplies fabrics for U.S. military branches.
Source report
Source: Sourcing Journal Author: Angela Velasquez Reading Time: 2 min
North Carolina's textile sector is shrinking.
On Wednesday, Elevate Textiles, Inc., the owner of Burlington Industries, filed a WARN notice with the North Carolina Department of Commerce announcing the permanent closure of its finishing plant in Burlington, N.C., effective December 31, 2026. The closure will affect 150 employees. The facility is responsible for textile finishing and dyeing.
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Sourcing Journal's request for comment from Elevate Textiles was not returned by the time of publication.
However, Business North Carolina reported that the company expects most production to be completed by September 30. The facility will remain open during the notice period, and employees will continue working their regular scheduled shifts based on customer orders and production needs. In the WARN notice obtained by the publication, Kristin Hughes, chief legal officer and human resources officer for Elevate Textiles, stated that the closing is the result of changing market dynamics and reduced production volumes.
"Despite efforts to identify new product lines, the identified volumes remain too low to maintain a viable operation," she wrote.
The closure is a blow to the U.S. textile supply chain. Founded in 1923, Burlington produces performance synthetics, worsted wool, and blended fabric, serving the military, performance apparel, medical and cleanroom, interior furnishings, uniform, and workwear markets. The company also operates facilities in China.
Burlington exhibited at the Functional Fabric Fair in New York City last week. Earlier this month, the firm celebrated the commissioning of its newly modernized dyehouse at its manufacturing operation in Raeford, N.C. The Raeford facility produces specialized fabrics used in military dress uniforms and currently supplies fabrics for the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, and Space Force.
At the time of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Jeffrey P. Pritchett, CEO of Elevate Textiles, said the investment "demonstrates our confidence in the Raeford operation, our employees, and the critical role this facility plays in supporting those who protect our freedoms."
Elevate Textiles, Inc. also owns thread producers American & Efird and Gütermann, as well as Safety Components, a performance textiles manufacturer for first responders, military, outdoor, marine, and automotive sectors. Last September, the Charlotte-based company sold its heritage denim business, Cone Denim, to Artistic Milliners.
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Elevate Textiles to Close Burlington Finishing Plant, Laying Off 150