Shaw closing Ga. plant resulting in 440 layoffs

A spun yarn facility is closing its doors and laying off 440 employees.

Shaw Industries Group Inc. will close its Plant 76 in mid-November.

A statement released by a company spokesman says the plant closure and layoffs are in response to the decreased demand for flooring products.

Executive vice president of operations Hal Long says the company is overcapacity because of changes in customer preferences and downturn in the housing market.

The company is working to place Trenton employees at other Shaw locations. Shaw has partnered with the Georgia Department of Labor to give sessions to counsel, explain benefits and provide retraining. It also will organize job fairs to identify career opportunities for its employees.