CALHOUN, Georgia. – Mohawk Industries announced that it will permanently shut down two of its synthetic yarn manufacturing sites in the next 60 days in Dillon, South Carolina and Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.

According to company officials, Mohawk will close these facilities "as part of an ongoing process of effectively aligning yarn production with changing consumer demands." Mohawk also said that it "continues to explore many strategies to retain its leadership position in the industry, including investments in product development, logistics enhancements, retailer support and marketing initiatives."

The yarn made at the two facilities is used to produce carpeting and will not affect the Mohawk Home division of bath rugs, area rugs and mats, they said.

"Changing consumer preference in carpet styling has shifted production away from spun yarn toward other carpet fibers," said Steve Powers, Mohawk vp of yarn manufacturing and extrusion. "This shift has created an excess capacity of spun yarn in the industry. To maintain an efficient operation, we must reduce areas of production where excess capacity emerges.''