IRMO, S.C. — Shaw Industries, located at 4401 St. Andrews Rd. in Irmo, has announced plans to lay off approximately two-thirds of its workforce within the next 60 days. This transition involves moving production to another site in South Carolina and will impact 203 employees.
The transition process has begun, with the fiber extrusion operations in Irmo expected to shut down within the next two months. Employees are encouraged to apply for open positions at Shaw’s Aiken facility and other locations across the U.S. The company has partnered with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) and has organized career fairs in the Columbia area to assist affected workers.
Shaw Industries employs around 1,200 people in South Carolina, with more than 110 jobs remaining at the Columbia facility, which will continue to operate nylon resin polymerization and post-industrial PET reclamation processes.
According to its website, Shaw Industries Group, Inc. is a leader in flooring and surface solutions for residential, commercial, and outdoor environments. Headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, Shaw is a wholly owned subsidiary of Billionaire Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., with over $6 billion in annual sales and 18,000 associates worldwide.
In 2021, Governor Henry McMaster announced Shaw’s $400 million investment in Aiken would create 400 new jobs. However, it has become evident that this expansion displaces workers, shifting jobs to another part of the state. Aiken, historically known for being a challenging area for Black workers, raises concerns about racial injustice. Curtis Jenkins, a local resident, expressed skepticism about Aiken’s commitment to real change, stating, “I have to see it to believe it.”
“Shaw benefits from a talented, well-trained associate base in Aiken County. We’re proud to have been a part of the community for almost 20 years and look forward to continuing to make a positive impact,” said John Riley, Plant Manager of Shaw’s Aiken facility.
The Area is represented by Congressman Joe Wilson District 2 and Bart T. Blackwell, both Republicans.
Shaw Industries is currently facing a lawsuit from the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) on behalf of the Congaree River Keepers, alleging illegal discharges of PFAS chemicals into the Lower Saluda River. The lawsuit follows a March notice letter from SELC to Shaw regarding the pollution at its Columbia plant. “Shaw is polluting a scenic trout fishery and drinking water source for thousands of South Carolinians with highly toxic PFAS chemicals,” said Carl Brzorad, SELC Senior Associate Attorney. Bill Stangler, Congaree Riverkeeper, added, “By discharging PFAS into the Lower Saluda, Shaw harms our precious resources and the drinking water source for the communities of West Columbia and Cayce.”
The City of Columbia has also sued Shaw Industries, seeking damages for the release of PFAS upstream of Columbia’s drinking water intakes.
The displacement of workers is seen by some as a politically motivated move to favor areas with predominantly white populations. According to Data USA, Aiken has a white population of over 70%, contrasting with the more diverse and liberal Midlands workforce affected by the move. Many displaced workers cannot commute to Aiken daily and are considering employment with companies like US Foods, Michelin, Trane, and Amazon, often at lower pay rates.
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