A long-time Charlotte-area textile mill is closing by the end of the year, putting 173 people out of work, according to an N.C. Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act report .
Patrick Yarn Mill Inc. at 501 York Road in Kings Mountain will close Dec. 31, the WARN report filed Monday with the North Carolina Department of Commerce said. The mill, which specializes in cut-resistant and flame retardant yarns, is about 35 miles west of Charlotte. It had been operating for 62 years, and were previously part of the Pharr textile company .
The Gaston County mill produces yarns from recycled fibers marketed under its Earthspun trademarks and with its large solar installation promoting earth-friendly yarns as “Spun by the Sun,” according to Coats.
The layoffs will occur in four phases starting May 31 and ending Dec. 31 for roles from operators like spinning and twisting to manufacturing managers to warehouse workers and analysts, according to the WARN notice…