NY textiles company to buy Patrick County HanesBrands facility

New York-based specialty textile manufacturer Apex Mills Corp. will invest $3.1 million to acquire the former HanesBrands facility in Patrick County, along with the plant’s equipment. The acquisition will retain 96 jobs and create an estimated 44 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday.

Apex Mills will fulfill contracts for the Hanes clothing brands. HanesBrands Inc. closed the facility in July 2021, eliminating 140 jobs.

“We want made in America to mean made in Virginia and we are proud that this American-made textile company will expand its U.S. footprint by establishing an East Coast facility in Virginia,” Youngkin said in a statement. “Specialty textile manufacturing has long been a core component of the economy in many regions across the commonwealth, and we thank Apex Mills for keeping the HanesBrands facility in operation.”

Founded in 1943, Apex Mills makes warp-knit fabrics geared towards industrial and technical applications. The company provides solid knit, mesh/netting and 3D-spacer textile solutions.

Apex Mills President and CEO Jonathan Kurz said in a statement, “When we became aware of the imminent closing of the HanesBrands Woolwine operation and learned more about the rich tradition of textile manufacturing in Patrick County, we ultimately made the decision that this was where we wanted to locate our next fabric formation facility. The skilled workforce in the Woolwine, Stuart and surrounding communities, as well as the support we have received from the county and the state, have made this opportunity one which we are proud to be a part of.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Patrick County to secure the project, for which Virginia competed with Pennsylvania. Youngkin approved a $300,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist the county. Apex Mills is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The company is eligible to receive funding and services to support its employee recruitment and training through VEDP’s Virginia Jobs Investment Program.