Shaw Industries to close Central plant

Listen to this article

Employees at one of Central’s last large plants have been told their place of work is closing this summer.

A Shaw Industries employee who asked not to be identified said the workers were told they would be paid through the end of June even if the plant closes before then.

According to the SC Works Layoff Notification Report, Shaw told 249 employees of the impending closure on April 26. The company, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, is headquartered in Dalton, Ga., and makes flooring.

Shaw Industries received the Outreach Award in September during the 2018 Salute to Manufacturing Awards Luncheon sponsored by SC Biz News, GSA Business Report and the S.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership. 

Central was a mill town historically and has lost most of its large manufacturers over the years. Its economy is bolstered by its location: Southern Wesleyan University’s main campus is on East Main Street and the Clemson University campus is just two miles beyond its West Main Street town limits. 

Shaw has a Lexington County carpet fiber plant in which it invested $45 million in 2015.