Will Der textile company closes plants and lays off 120 workers

The textile company Will Der SA has announced the closure of its manufacturing plants in Las Flores and General Pacheco, Argentina, resulting in the layoff of approximately 120 workers. The company, which produced sports apparel for major international brands including Adidas, Puma, Fila, New Balance, Lacoste, Salomon, and Macron, cited a severe economic downturn and a lack of orders as the primary reasons for the shutdown.

Santiago Phelan, a former coach of the Los Pumas rugby team and current president of the firm, and partner Armando Anasal communicated the decision to the staff. Phelan noted that attempts to diversify production into other sectors, such as mining workwear, were unsuccessful in stabilizing the business. He also expressed uncertainty regarding the company's ability to pay full severance packages, stating, “I am not going to promise anything; what can be paid will be paid, it could be everything or it could be nothing.”

The owners attributed the collapse to the current economic climate and the impact of increased imports on the domestic textile sector. Anasal expressed profound distress over the closure, describing the situation as a consequence of political decisions that have undermined the industry.