Byer Shutters SoCal Production Facility
San Francisco–based Byer California announced plans to close the production sewing department of its Alfred Paquette division in early January.
The production sewing facility employs 169 people, who have been offered severance packages that include payments based on their years of employment with the company and continued health-care coverage through mid-2005.
“This is a difficult time for all of us,” said Chief Executive Officer Allan G. Byer in a statement released after Byer met with employees on Nov. 8. “We deeply appreciate your years of loyalty and dedicated service.”
Although the production sewing division will officially close on Jan. 9, the company anticipates in-house production will cease by Nov. 19. Employees, however, will continue to receive their benefits through Jan. 9.
Byer manufactures juniors, misses and children’s apparel under the A. Byer, Amy Byer and AGB labels. The Alfred Paquette division is the company’s Southern California operation. The 40-year-old company has been operating in-house sewing at its Los Angeles facility since it acquired the Alfred Paquette Co. in 1971.
The in-house sewing operation made up only a small portion of the company’s production. The company also uses contract sewers in Los Angeles and sources a portion of its production overseas.
“That part didn’t make sense anymore; it wasn’t cost effective,” said Alfred Paquette President Max Curry. “Ultimately, it was only about 5 percent of our production.”
The company will use its existing equipment to bolster its contractors’ operations, Curry said. The Los Angeles facility will continue to house the company’s cutting department, fabric warehouse and design department.
Byer will complete the expansion of its Southern California distribution center by the end of the year. The company is currently building a second distribution facility near downtown Los Angeles to complement its existing operations. Curry said the company will likely be hiring additional staff for the new facility. —Alison A. Nieder
