Men's clothes-cutting factory to close

60 to lose jobs at Biltwell

By Jim Obert

Business Today

FARMINGTON -- About 60 jobs will be lost on July 2 when the Biltwell Clothing Co. cutting factory closes here. Fifty workers at the Biltwell distribution center in the city will retain their jobs, according to Peter Ellinger, senior vice president of human resources for Inter-Continental Brand and Apparel, the holding company of Biltwell.

The company is headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y., and is owned by Hartmarx Corp., which is based in Chicago, Ill.

Ellinger said May 2 that the closing of the cutting factory means most employees will lose their jobs and only several maintenance people will remain to help with removal of equipment.

Inter-Continental Brand and Apparel officials were at the plant May 1 to inform workers of the company's decision. According to a press release, Ellinger said management will soon meet with union representatives concerning negotiation of severance benefits.

Ellinger said company officials will meet with area employment agencies to help employees find assistance.

Competition in the clothing market dictated the decision to close the Biltwell cutting factory, according to company officials.

For many years the Farmington factory has cut material for men's clothing. The material has been shipped to Costa Rica where it was sewed into apparel. Reportedly, the sewing plant there will also close.

The Biltwell warehouse facility in Farmington is expected to remain open, at least for awhile.

Thorngate, a division of Biltwell, closed its operation in Farmington more than a year ago.