Staff Writer

A local manufacturing plant could be closing its doors within the month, according to sources.

Royal Cord, owned by Engineered Specialties Textiles, has been in the process of going out of business for several months now as it slowly decreased its work force and work load.

According to Plant Manager Jerry Hall, the plant isn't closing this week, but the end is inevitable.

There are 34 employees at the plant, and they will be given the opportunity to take other jobs at plants in Hogansville and Porterdale, both in Georgia.

“We are trying to get everyone who leaves here an opportunity to go to the other plants,” Hall said. “But distance is playing a role in their decisions.”

Thomaston is about 45 miles away from the plant in Hogansville and almost 70 miles from Porterdale.

Employee David McCants said the closure of Royal Mill will affect him.

“I came to work at Martha Mill straight out of college,” he said. “When it changed hands, I stayed on. This has been a part of my life for 28 years.”

When asked if he would take an early retirement because of the closing, McCants said that was not an option for him.

“I still have a mortgage and responsibilities to take of,” he said, looking off into the distance. “I'll have to move on to something different. It will be a big change, but I don't have a choice.”

Hall said the end of business for the Thomaston Royal Cord plant has been going on a long time. The two other Georgia plants will absorb the work load.

The plants in Hogansville and Porterdale manufacture industrial belting fabric. Locally, Royal Cord exited the tire cord fabric business in April 2006. Since that time it has been manufacturing treated hose yarn.

In an interview with General Manager Bob Hancuff in April 2006, he told The Times the plant would not be closing and expected the plant to be back to their total volume within six months.

Hall, who is expected to take a position at the Hogansville plant, said there is a strong likelihood that Royal Cord will close sometime this month.