HanesBrands, the parent of Hanes, Champion and Gear for Sports, stated that its Cleveland Distribution Center, located in Kings Mountain, NC, was one of 34 facilities in the state of North Carolina to achieve 2 million employee hours without injury in 2016.

NC Department of Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry visited the distribution center to present the certificate to Joel Long, director of distribution for HanesBrands, on behalf of the facility’s more than 500 employees. The NCDOL million-hour safety awards are given to facilities that accumulate 1 million or more employee hours with no cases of injury or illness that involve days away from work.

“It is important that we recognize companies when they exceed expectations of safety and health in their workplace, and the HanesBrands facility in Kings Mountain has demonstrated that commitment with this recent 2 million-man hour award,” Commissioner Berry said.

Long commended the Cleveland Distribution Center team for the achievement: “Safety is a top priority at HanesBrands, and a responsibility that each of us at the Cleveland Distribution Center owns – both for ourselves and those we work with. Achieving 2 million safe hours is a reflection of the strong teamwork and focus of everyone who works here.”

The Cleveland Distribution Center, which ships intimate apparel orders for Bali, Playtex and Maidenform from department-store and mid-tier retailers, has a long track record of safe operations. The facility has earned six consecutive NCDOL Gold Safety Awards (2011-2016) and achieved 1 million safe hours in 2016.

The company’s Canterbury Distribution Center, which is co-located with Cleveland, also has a strong safety record. The facility, which employs nearly 400 operators who ship Hanes, Playtex and Just My Size products to mass and regional retailers, has received five consecutive NCDOL Gold Safety Awards (2012-2016), one Silver Award (2011) and achieved 1 million safe hours in February 2016.

Since 2014, Hanes has expanded the Kings Mountain facilities a combined 235,000 square feet and added 285 jobs to handle increased volume and responsibilities.

HanesBrands owns Hanes, Champion, Playtex, DIM, Bali, Maidenform, Bonds, JMS/Just My Size, L´eggs, Wonderbra, Nur Die/Nur Der, Lovable, Berlei and Gear for Sports.