Lids Team Sports, the team dealer division of Genesco Inc., plans to close its factory in DeForest, WI, by Dec. 31, affecting 100 workers. Genesco acquired the factory with its acquisition of Impact Sports in late 2008.

In a letter dated Oct. 29 and publicly released Tuesday by the state Department of Workforce Development, Genesco said the closing of the Lids Team Sports plant began Nov. 1 and would be completed Dec. 31.

The Department of Workforce Development and its regional partner, the
South Central Workforce Development Board, will provide outplacement
services to affected workers.

In late 2008, Genesco acquired Impact Sports in Wisconsin as part of its launch of its Lids Team Sports Business. It acquired Great Plains Sports in 2009, Brand Athletics in May 2010, and Anaconda Sports in September 2010. The division, which operates as part of Genesco's Hat World division, was renamed LIDS Team Sports earlier this year.

In September, Genesco officials noted that with its recent acquisitions of Anaconda Sports in the Northeast and
Brand Innovators on the West Coast, Lids Team Sports now has 116 team
dealer “roadman” reps covering 43 states. LTS also has the rights to
extend to 49 states with Nike. Nike is already committed with another
partner for school sales in Texas.