Lands Ends U.S. production downsizing is DeLongs opportunity as the brand that was recently acquired by Sears plans to close two factories in Iowa by spring, resulting in the loss of more than 175 jobs. The company under Sears and has gone entirely to contract manufacturing, which represented almost 99% of the production of Lands End goods already.
The plants made an assortment of products, including some Polartec fleece hats, scarves, mittens and blankets, as well as some attache cases, duffel bags and luggage, according to a company spokesperson.
One of the facilities, which employed about 57 of the people losing jobs, will be bought by DeLong Sportswear. DeLong, which reportedly has six production locations in Iowa, has agreed to hire at least 45 employees at the plant. Terms of the purchase agreement were not disclosed.
“We will give first opportunity at employment in our plant there to current Lands' End employees,” said DeLong ops manager Emil Malinowski in a local report.
