The closing down of Noblesse factory sounds the death knell for a 21 year-adventure. After closing its units in Coromandel and Curepipe, the group has been forced to close its last factory in Souillac. It could no longer face the strong competition of other low-cost textile countries despite the renowned list of customers they had ? Cerruti, Cacharel, Burton,etc.

At the end of the month, 329 employees will have to start looking for new jobs. But the factory management has made it clear it will support its staff until they manage to get other jobs. Added to the compensation and end-of-year bonus, all employees will be able to take their local leave and will have their sick leave refunded.

Moreover, the factory has committed itself to helping its former employees by providing them with training to start a new career in a new field. To achieve this goal, Noblesse will be helped by institutions like the Industrial and Vocational Training Board (IVTB) and Ciel Textile.

This important textile group had actually taken over the management of the factory to help improve the difficult situation Noblesse was facing but it has not really succeeded. Competition was too harsh and problems were already too huge. Noblesse even tried to diversify with a collection of women?s fashions but this has never known any real success. Noblesse is also committed to paying its suppliers despite its major losses estimated at Rs 200 million. But the real hurdle might be to find a company to take over the factory?