Turkish Company to Re-Open Former Microfibres Plant

July 13, 2017  by Larry Thomas in Business Strategy, Industry   

Turkish producer Tukek Holding said its subsidiary, HPFabrics, will invest $1.1 million in the shuttered factory and create 260 jobs over the next three years.

“This investment will help Tukek to strengthen its global position in the flocking industry while bringing the lost jobs back and creating much more than what Microfibres had to offer at its best years,” said Rafet Tukek, president of HPFabrics and Tukek Holding. “This investment will also strengthen trade between Turkey and the United States of America, and will be one of the first manufacturing-related direct investments made by a Turkish company into the United States economy.”

Microfibres, which had factories in Winston-Salem, Pawtucket, R.I., and Tupelo, Miss., halted production in early 2016 and filed for bankruptcy protection. Tukek said his company’s purchase of Microfibres’ assets was approved in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in April.

“It’s a pleasure to see an idle facility come to life again, opening new opportunities for North Carolina’s talented workers,” said state Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland.

Copeland’s department and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina were among state and local partners supporting the company’s expansion into the state.

State officials said other key partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Forsyth County, the City of Winston-Salem, and Winston-Salem Business, Inc.