PVH to close Ethiopia factory
The conflict in northern Ethiopia, where a state of emergency was declared in early November, has led Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein parent PVH to announce its intention to close its Hawassa Industrial Park manufacturing facility on November 25.
Prior to the escalation in tensions, PVH had been planning to transition the ownership and management of the plant over to a local supply chain partner following the sale of its heritage brands portfolio (including Izod, Van Heusen, Arrow and Geoffrey Beene) over the summer.
In a statement, chief supply chain officer at the company, Sarah Clarke, said: “The speed and volatility of the escalating situation [in Ethiopia] made [the transfer] no longer possible, resulting in the difficult decision to close the facility. We are continuing to explore options for a long-term solution for the facility to continue operating.”
PVH previously celebrated the launch of its first community programme benefitting women near the industrial park as part of its thirteenth annual corporate responsibility report earlier this year.
