Seminole Wrangler plant closes, city to lose 663 jobs

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A jeans factory in Seminole plans to close and take its production facilities to Mexico, city officials said Monday.<br><br>Wrangler announced it close it's Seminole plant, which

Monday, July 28th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A jeans factory in Seminole plans to close and take its production facilities to Mexico, city officials said Monday.

Wrangler announced it close it's Seminole plant, which employs 663.

Seminole city officials say they will have a town meeting Tuesday evening to discuss ways to help families impacted by the layoffs.

Earlier this month, state officials asked the Oklahoma Commerce Department to look at ways to keep the plant open.

"Obviously, we're disappointed. But now we've got to think about what happens next," said Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole. "We've got to take care of these workers...and we've got to attract new industry to Seminole County."

Seminole city officials were told Monday that Wrangler would lay off workers in Seminole and likely move production to Mexico.

There workers will receive $4.80 a day, compared to $10.25 an hour in Oklahoma.

Wrangler's parent company, VF Jeanswear, has also closed plants in Coalgate, Okemah, Prague and facilities in Texas, Virginia and Missouri.