Textiles Human Resources Council - For Immediate Release

Ottawa -- May 1, 2003 – Today, our largest-ever group of government officials packed the National Textiles Week plant tour bus destined for two Gildan Activewear facilities. In the morning, the group headed to Montreal, where they toured Gildan's circular knitting plant. Later in the day, in Long Sault, Ontario, officials visited one of the most modern yarn spinning facilities in the world.

Now in its eighth year, the tour is an annual event organized by the Textiles Human Resources Council in celebration of National Textiles Week. It offers a firsthand look into the operations of two modern, technology-driven Canadian textiles plants for Members of Parliament, departmental staff and government officials.

This year, officials with an interest in the manufacturing sector came from a number of federal government departments and agencies, including Industry Canada, Finance, Statistics Canada, Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. While many of the participants do work related to the manufacturing sector in general or the textile industry in particular, few have the opportunity to visit a manufacturing plant prior to joining the tour.

Participant evaluation forms reflected the event's overwhelming success - 100% will recommend the tour to colleagues and 90% rated the tour "Very Good" or "Excellent."

As this year's tour hosts, Gildan Activewear staff gave participants a warm welcome. Knowledgeable guides took smaller groups through every aspect of the manufacturing process, answering questions and providing insight into the vertically-integrated nature of Gildan Activewear's production line.

National Textiles Week Plant Tour participants

By combining state-of-the-art equipment and a specialized workforce, Gildan has become one of the largest textile firms in Canada, manufacturing and selling premium quality blank t-shirts, golf shirts and sweatshirts that are ultimately decorated with designs and logos for sale to consumers.

In 2004, the National Textiles Week Plant Tour will be held on May 6.

For further information, please contact:

Sarah Watts-Rynard
Manager of Communications
613.230.7217 ext. 304