VENTURA : Patagonia Plans No Layoffs After Fire

Patagonia plans no layoffs in the wake of a recent fire at one of the Ventura clothing company’s largest suppliers of synthetic fleece, a spokeswoman said Thursday.

“We’re confident about no layoffs,” said spokeswoman Lu Setnicka.

Malden Mills Industries supplies Patagonia with large quantities of synchilla, a fleece-like polyester material. Solid-colored synchilla is manufactured from recycled soda bottles.

Setnicka said a devastating Monday night fire at Malden Mills’ textile plant in Lawrence, Mass., would have no effect on Patagonia until its fall 1996 clothing line.

“We have plenty of time to rework the line,” she said, adding that Patagonia executives are meeting to consider ways to deal with the reduced supply of synchilla.

Setnicka said Patagonia is committed to helping Malden Mills get back on its feet because of the productive, 15-year relationship between the companies. “They are a quality supplier,” she said.