Buffalo, NY – New Era Cap Co. has chosen its western New York plant to survive as the company's sole U.S. production facility.
The tentative announcement by the Buffalo-based maker of Major League Baseball hats means a facility in Demopolis, Ala. will close later this year.
Both the Demopolis and Derby, N.Y. plants were put on notice in November that one would go as part of a reorganization made necessary by lower consumer demand. The survival of the Derby plant is contingent upon employee approval of a new labor contract.
New Era also plans to close operations in Jackson, Ala. and Mobile, Ala.
The Demopolis plant employs 351 people, slightly more than the Derby plant. The company says the Demopolis plant would have required significant renovation.
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