After more than 60 years in Landrum, Mohawk Industries announced plans on Thursday, May 22, to close the facility located on Landrum Mill Road within the first quarter of 2016.

The facility was constructed in 1953 by the Sanford-Bigelow carpet company and purchased by Mohawk in 1993.

The Calhoun, Ga.-based company has, in recent decades, become the world’s largest flooring company producing industrial and aviation carpeting as well as wood, laminate, and tile options.

“They’ve been a big part of Landrum for a long time and we are sad to see them go,” said Landrum Mayor Robert Briggs on Mohawk’s decision. “We hate it for both the corporation and the employees.”

In 2014 Mohawk invested $10 million dollars into the Landrum plant, upgrading looms used for carpet manufacturing and improving general technology. The expansion created approximately 20 jobs, and was publicly praised by South Carolina Governor Nikki  Haley.

Mohawk Industries plans consolidate all woven carpet and rug operations to the plant located in Eden, N.C., adding up to 100 jobs to the current workforce estimated at 170. In total, Mohawk employs roughly 1,200 North Carolinians.