A Virginia-based clothing company is closing its North Texas production facility, laying off nearly 500 employees.
In a December email to employees, Custom Ink said it was stopping all in-house production of its clothing business and eliminating 490 jobs — 240 of which will be at the company’s North Texas facility in Flower Mound, according to the Dallas Business Journal.
While Custom Ink did not provide employees with an exact timeline for when the layoffs will occur, the production house is projected to close in the first quarter of 2024. This will mark the second round of layoffs for the company in 2023 as it shifts its business model to execute its financial goals better.
Moving away from in-house production will help “position the company for continued profitability and success in a challenging economic environment,” says Mark Katz, the founder, CEO, and chairman of Custom Ink.
In a statement to the Washington Business Journal, Custom Ink said it was making these changes “to improve performance and better align the business with its tech-oriented growth strategy.”
The company said partners will complete all future printing work.
“These changes will help ensure Custom Ink can execute on its long-term mission and financial plan, as the company builds on its strong market position, leading brand, and outstanding reputation to better serve customers, team members, partners, and all the communities it touches,” the company said in a statement, per the DBJ.
The company said affected employees would receive between four and 26 weeks of severance pay, job placement assistance, and a subsidy for health care.
The Dallas Express contacted Custom Ink for comment but did not hear back by publishing.