Levi Strauss cuts another 2,000, shutters U.S. plants

San Francisco Business Times ^ | 9/25/03

[Willie Green]

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.

San Francisco blue jeans maker Levi Strauss & Co. said Thursday it would close its remaining North America manufacturing and finishing plants, firing nearly 2,000 employees in the process, or about 11 percent of its global workforce.

The news comes days after the company said it would cut bout 350 salaried jobs in the U.S., with about 300 additional jobs cut in Europe in an effort to reduce costs in the face of reduced product pricing.

In April 2002, Levi Strauss closed six of its eight U.S. manufacturing plants, including its oldest on Valencia Street in San Francisco. The closures pink slipped 3,300 employees, or 20 percent of Levi's worldwide workforce.

The sewing plants closed in three phases and included four in Texas, and one in Georgia.

During that 2002 round of closures, there were 100 layoffs in San Francisco, where Levi had made jeans in its Mission District facility since 1906. The closures were part of Levi's turnaround plan, which involves getting out of manufacturing to focus on marketing. The company has been losing sales and profits for half a decade and has shifted manufacturing to offshore contractors like many of its competitors.

The remaining two U.S. plants were in San Antonio Texas.

[Redbob]

What does THIS have to do with guns, you ask?

Easy: Levi is a major contributor to the bastion of gun-grabbers, Pax.

Anything that hurts Levis hurts the gun-grabbers.

[Colofornian]

It is time for TRUE Americans to simply BOYCOTT ALL NON-AMERICAN goods!

It is time to boycott American products & services offered by the 5-7% of American corporations leading the way via unholy agendas: Levi Strauss, Berkshire Hathaway, American Express, NY Times, J.P. Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Disney, American Airlines, etc.

[A. Pole]

The comments on this board indicate that within 20 years or less we will have a full socialist regime here. Ignorance of how the core American institutions work, coupled with purely socialist envy constantly fueled by the elites will lead to that ourcome.

It is not matter of envy, but of the simple survival. People want to put food on the table because their children clamour for it.

Envy (on the side of the poorer) and greed (on the side of the richer) plays the role AFTER the necessities are taken care of.

About the supposed "ignorance of how the core American institutions work", don't you realise that the free trade policies are a new thing, not something what the founders of United States had in mind? You are breaking the original principles so do not complain when you will get the undesirable side effects like socialism.

[Colofornian]

You look for the manufacturer's tag. Made in USA vs. Made in China, Made in Brazil, Made in Canada, etc.....

I agree that the tags are worthy to look at least from the perspective of what's made in China. Wal-Mart carries more Chinese products than any other retailer...and particular industries--like the Toy industry--are the worst!

Do you think we can overcome a recession by closing plants and sending the jobs overseas? You keep buying them if you want. I won't.

It's the morality, s_____.

Won't do SanFran any good to have folks lining up for jobs @ Levi Strauss, BofA, PG&E & the computer industry if it's on the verge of provoking/replicating Sodom & Gomorrah divine activity.

[discostu]

The problem there isn't what she does with her money but that you let a crackwhore watch your kids.

Life is way too short to waste it investigating the spending habits of every company I might want to buy a product from. I'll just trust the nature of business evolution: those that spend their profits stupidly will cease to exist shortly.

[A. Pole]

It is time for TRUE Americans to simply BOYCOTT ALL NON-AMERICAN goods!

There is a better way - the TARIFFS. When tariffs are calibrated properly - ie they take into account the difference in cost of living - you can buy foreign product with a clear conscience, when the product is really better. Fair trade means long term trade beneficial to all trading sides and stable market economy.

Tariff income can be used to reduce cost of hiring Americans.

[Colofornian]

The problem there isn't what she does with her money but that you let a crackwhore watch your kids.

Ah, you made my point exactly! Bravo! (Excellent discernment!)

It's YOUR philosophy that says: Life is way too short to waste it investigating the spending habits of every babysitter I might want to utilize. I'll just trust the nature of business evolution: those babysitters that spend their profits stupidly will cease to exist shortly.

Whereas MY philosophy says we should take note of the major players funding the other side's agenda...and likewise we should refrain from funding the coffers of "crackwhores" (to use your term)--corporate & otherwise.

So, how does it feel to fund the crackwhores of corporate America & then wonder why our culture is running down hill?

[discostu]

Problem with your philosophy is what's a "major player"? If the convenience store clerk where I buy gas where's a Dean button do I need to go elsewhere?

My point is that if she's a crackwhore she'll die, I just don't want her dieing in a way that makes my life difficult. You shouldn't leta crackwhore watch your kids, but buying jeans from her is OK if they're good jeans and she doesn't charge too much.

[A. Pole]

Americans should get some education

What about over-qualified engineers with various skills? What trining should they get, how to hide their experience?

[theDentist]

It's the morality, s_____.

Was that necessary? I didn't resort to name-calling or insulting you. Grow up.

Won't do SanFran any good to have folks lining up for jobs @ Levi Strauss, BofA, PG&E & the computer industry if it's on the verge of provoking/replicating Sodom & Gomorrah divine activity.

Hmmm, looks like your tin-foil hat has got a leak. You best go fix it up.

[sasafras]

Levi is one of the worst when it comes to promoting the liberal and anti-family agenda. Good riddens and I hope Levi goes bankrupt. As for american jobs - anytime we can cut back on union jobs its a good thing. The union had its place now it needs to go away or get out of supporting the dems. Dont buy Levi's.

[Colofornian]

Was that necessary? I didn't resort to name-calling or insulting you. Grow up.

Hey, the _____ was there for a reason. Time to take your radar in for a tune-up. If I'd wanted to call you a name, I would have. Instead, I was simply turning a catch phrase ("It's the economy, Stupid") on its head. What? Ya think the "It's-the-economy-stupid" Dem leaders of the 90s & the media hacks who widely repeated that were going around name-callin' all w/in ear shot?

Take off your tin foil flak jacket...nobody's shooting playdough darts at ya.

[Willie Green]

Ripple Effect Thread: Denim Maker Cone Mills Files for Ch. 11

[RussianConservative]

Hmm, so if simple folk put self out of job by having company they own stock in sell out and move...then they simple folk sell off stock in order to make ends meet. Stock then bought as debt by buyer of debt, say China. So in end, China own stock of company, own debt of peoples and own jobs.

[SpookBrat]

They also support Planned Parenthood. I only buy Levi's if they come from the thrift store.

I'm sad about San Antonio losing jobs though.

[RussianConservative]

If you elect Clark, jobs not issue, debt not issue, soon no issue, except daily survival in post nuclear holocust world...Clark try start world war 3 times, you peoples nuts if he elected.

[StarCMC]

Haven't bought a pair of Levi's since they pressured the Boy Scouts to accept gay scout leaders or lose their monetary support. Glad to see they're feeling the pinch!

[LiberationIT]

I'm noticing that Jeans, Dockers, etc. are becoming less consistent and reliable in size. I.e. a specific size used to be reliable, but over the last several years a certain inseam length, for example, can vary by as much as one and a half inches from the stated size.

Same for the waist; but I don't want to talk about that.

You or anybody else notice this? Perhaps it's just a figment of my imagination.

[RussianConservative]

So what good salary to compete with $1 day China slave labor? Education cost monies, where peoples get monies if not work?