Textile company making a comeback in Catawba County | News

HICKORY, NC (WBTV) - TSG Finishing, LLC is consolidating its finishing operations
into its Longview/Hickory facilities and increasing the workforce in Catawba
County by 50 people. The company already has 75 people on the payroll and the
new additions could be just the start said officials on Tuesday.

The company
has been in business for 111 years and handles the critical finishing to
fabrics used in the automotive, healthcare, military and furniture
industries.  Company officials say their
processes are unique to the industry and sales director Bud Styles said "We can
do what nobody else can do."

County officials said the announcement Tuesday was welcome
news in the face of a declining textile industry.  Most textile companies in the area have
either closed or moved operations overseas. TSG officials admit times have been
tough in recent years but the company weathered the economic storm.

"Anyone who
can come through that storm then you know you are doing something right," said
Chief Coordinating Officer Brian Rosenstein. "We're coming out the other side
and we like what we see in the future." Keeping all operations in the USA gives
them an advantage, said officials. "It's all about quicker turnarounds and
being closer to our customers," said Styles.

Victor Stamey has worked at the finishing plant since 1971.
When the recession hit a few years ago he didn't give the textile industry much
of a chance. "I thought we was finished, about over with." 

Joyce Phillips was laid off several years ago
but was called back to work and now thinks the news of consolidation and hiring
more people is a positive step to the future for everyone who works at the
plant. "I feel more security."

Company officials say moving jobs from the Northeast to
Hickory is "bittersweet in some ways," but also said the commitment and
productivity of their workers in Catawba County makes it a smart business move.
Dozens of those workers gathered in a warehouse Tuesday morning when the
official announcement was made, then went back to work.

Edwin Miller used to
work for another textile company before it closed and sent his job overseas.  News that the company is growing and looking
to the future give him a future, he said. "It means I got a job now when I
didn't have one before."

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