Unifi hopes for tariff clarity so orders will restart
The CEO of recycled polyester supplier Unifi has attributed a 12% decrease in fourth quarter sales to its customers putting orders on hold due to uncertainty over tariffs.
Eddie Ingle said: “We believe these are temporary impacts on our business, as we continue to see strong pent-up customer demand pending clarity on trade policies. Despite the challenging operating environment, we continued to make meaningful progress in optimising our business and streamlining operations during the period.”
In February 2025, Unifi announced the closure and planned transition of some domestic manufacturing operations. It sold its Madison, North Carolina, manufacturing facility, which enabled it to pay down a significant portion of debt. This will help create $20 million in annualised cost savings.
Mr Ingle added: “As we look towards fiscal 2026, we recognise that our business performance is not yet where we want it to be and has been temporarily impacted by a volatile trade environment.
“But most importantly, the conversations we are having with global brands confirm that customers’ appetites for sustainable solutions and a commitment to textile circularity have not waned.”
