Fate of facility in tornado-ravaged town to be decided
An EF-5 tornado destroyed a Wrangler jeans distribution center in Hackleburg, Alabama, the town's largest employer.
July 29th, 2011
10:04 PM ET

Fate of facility in tornado-ravaged town to be decided

The largest employer in a northwest Alabama town that lost 18 residents and its business core to an EF-5 tornado will announce Monday night whether it will rebuild.

VF Corp. has been evaluating what to do at its Wrangler jeans distribution center since the April 27 storm destroyed it and killed one employee.

Will America's 'best hometown' survive?

“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we finalize our evaluation process, especially the people of Hackleburg,” CEO Eric Wiseman said in a statement Friday. “We look forward to informing our associates and the Hackleburg community of our decision early next week.”

Since the tornado, the majority of the 150 displaced workers have been employed at company-owned locations in Hackleburg and Holly Pond.

Federal, state and local officials have conducted a full-court press, offering a range of incentives to VF Corp. The political leaders say a new Wrangler facility is a crucial component in the town’s recovery.

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Filed under: Alabama • Tornadoes • Weather
soundoff (17 Responses)
  1. Madame Royale

    I truly hope they rebuild.
    This town has been through enough, without losing an employer.

    July 29, 2011 at 11:18 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Jazzzzzzzz

    Wow, and I just woke up after a long nap in some (wranglers). With the employment forecast so grim for our country; the company has no choice but to rebuild.

    July 29, 2011 at 11:34 pm | Report abuse |
  3. gung hoe

    I dont understand what is wrong with the braintrust of wranglers first of all i would like to thank them for using american workers but with that said i am sure my legs on my 6ft4in frame can and will be sliding into a different american made jean that takes care of their employees rather than putting the insurance money in their pockets and running

    July 30, 2011 at 12:38 am | Report abuse |
  4. Well......

    It certainaly be a major loss to this small town, but I'm sure the execuitives are looking at both the stiff competion and the ecconomic crisis of the world. This has been a very considerate employer for it's loyal workers. Many years ago when the plant burned to the ground it kept all its employees on the pay roll while rebuilding–how man y other companies would do that?

    July 30, 2011 at 1:22 am | Report abuse |
  5. gung hoe

    I thought i bloged but was mistaken

    July 30, 2011 at 2:38 am | Report abuse |
  6. gung hoe

    At well right now the buissness climate is the states sucks and i have a feeling you dont have to look any further than washington the corps and ceos and any one in a position of ownership of buissness has little to no desire to make money the more they make just pay it to the government no desire to hire or keep employees just cost more taxes please believe me i live in michigan and buissneses here have been doin that since before obama cause we had queen granholm

    July 30, 2011 at 3:02 am | Report abuse |
  7. zena

    Sad state of the economy. Even though Wrangler clothing isnt as profitable as it once was its still a shame if that plant cant rebuild. Many,oh so many men (in Texas, where I live) wouldnt even know what to wear if they didnt have their Wranglers on! Old school-yes-but the right man in a pair of Wranglers-something to behold!

    July 30, 2011 at 5:06 am | Report abuse |
  8. Chaz

    I hope they rebuild so the town can get back on their feet again and back as it was. Otherwise It will be a another town forgotten. Small towns relay on big companies to make their town grow good luck for the residents in Alabama I hope your dreams will come true...

    July 30, 2011 at 8:26 am | Report abuse |
  9. gung hoe

    Hey zena when you talk about men and jeans i swear you talk about me lived in houston 5yrs to humid michigan is best if there was right to work unions have ruined my home

    July 30, 2011 at 9:19 am | Report abuse |
  10. RUFFNUTT

    WHAT THEY should do= rebuild plant and upgrade it... make it state of the art and like put solar panels and stuff on it to make it "green" ...
    ,
    what will likely happen= plant moves to mexico or china...

    July 30, 2011 at 11:03 am | Report abuse |
  11. CNN Wire

    I say outsource!

    July 30, 2011 at 11:56 am | Report abuse |
  12. Madame Royale

    If they do *not* rebuild, it is my hopoe that the displaced employees will remain at the Hackleburg and Holly Pond locations.

    @Zena:
    My husband is one of those "right men in Wrangler jeans", and I must say you're correct: oh, my!

    July 30, 2011 at 12:46 pm | Report abuse |
  13. RUFFNUTT

    levi's are better anyways... wranglers always ride up,,,

    July 31, 2011 at 8:32 am | Report abuse |
  14. Robert

    Wrangler is a key to the long term survival of Hackleburg, Al. and surrounding area. For the short term, the hard working people of Hacklburg area, need your generous support. We, along with others, have been delivering relief supplies. In 40 seconds, many familes lost everything and many lost family members, loved ones and friends. Your really have a hard time appreciating the effects of an F5 tornado unless you see its distructive effect on Hacklebury. I encourage you to help. For a secure way to appreciate and help go to http://www.hackleburghelpinghands.com.

    July 31, 2011 at 10:42 am | Report abuse |
  15. Jazzzzzzzz

    will do Robert...and God bless you and yours!

    July 31, 2011 at 12:19 pm | Report abuse |
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