BRISTOL, Tenn. – One of the Twin City’s oldest employers laid off nearly half its workforce this week.
L.C. King Manufacturing, which makes Pointer Brand denim jeans, overalls and jackets, laid off 15 of its 35 employees, owner Jack King said Thursday. The company typically lays off some workers in the spring, but this year’s total is higher than usual.
“It’s a little bit of the economy and what we typically do,” King said in a phone interview. “I don’t have the capacity to keep them sewing right now.”
The company usually reduces its workforce by about five during the summer months, King said, but this year’s total is higher because of the economic slowdown.
Because the company manufactures heavier-weight clothing at its 7th Street facility, demand for those products is typically much lower in the summer, King said.
“We usually pick back up in September and my hope is to get these people back in September. I hope things pick back up for us,” King said.
Mayor Joel Staton said Thursday he was unaware of the layoffs.
“Bristol has taken a big hit with the layoffs lately,” Staton said. “It’s hard on the economy and it’s really hard on those families who are affected. We can’t stand much more of that.”
In recent weeks, Exide Technologies announced plans to idle more than 550 workers and Bristol Metals reduced its staffing by 37.
King said Pointer Brand recently introduced three new products and continues to compete with companies who produce clothing outside the United States. Remaining employees were retained largely because of their experience, King said.
“I have people who have been here 30-plus years. I kept them because they’ve been here so long and have the skill set to many different things,” he said.
The company has been in business since 1913 and has no plans to close, King said.
“We plan to still be sewing and shipping,” King said.
dmcgee@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2532
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