Thorngate to eliminate 60 jobs

Thorngate Ltd. will eliminate its cutting department in early January, Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson said Tuesday.

The layoffs will affect about 60 workers at the Cape Girardeau facility, which manufactures high-end men's clothing.

Knudtson said given the slowing economy, news of the layoffs didn't come as a surprise.

"News like this is always difficult in these current economically challenging times," Knudtson said. "We all know that this industry is facing challenges that are hard to overcome."

In mid-August, company officials announced the reduction of the workweek for its 335 employees from five to three days due to an underperforming economy and declining sales.

And in early September the company announced it was cutting its entire sewing department, effective this month. That move affects nearly 250 workers in that department.

The Southeast Missourian was unable to contact Lennart Bjorklund, executive vice president of manufacturing for Thorngate's parent company, Hartmarx, for a comment.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

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