Marie Claire stands at a critical juncture, aiming to avert closure while pursuing a new lifeline. The textile company informed workers on a Tuesday afternoon that it intends to cease operations on June 20, yet it remains deeply engaged in talks with creditors to refinance its debt. Efforts are underway to keep the Vilafranca factory minimally active and to attract investors who can back a plan that preserves essential operations there, as reported by El Periódico Mediterráneo of the Prensa Ibérica group. The aim is to sustain fewer than 50 workers during this transitional phase.
The feasibility plan prepared by the B2TEX group and presented to its main creditor, the Valencian Institute of Finance (IVF), outlines a strategy to maintain only three production lines at the Els Ports facility. These lines would focus on medical stockings, compression hosiery, and race-stop tights. All other production—pajamas, underwear, and swimwear—would be shifted outside Spain to jurisdictions with lower manufacturing costs. The management, while insisting on avoiding bankruptcy, estimates it will require 40 to 50 workers to operate these three lines. Negotiations are set to begin on Monday under a partial layoff framework that would affect around 165 of the 214 employees at the Vilafranca plant.
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Under this plan, if the business blueprint remains intact, roughly three quarters of the current workforce at Els Ports would see changes in employment. Beyond Vilafranca, Marie Claire maintains offices and commercial departments in Castellón and Valencia, employing about 280 people in total. The objective is to reduce the headcount to between 100 and 120 employees as the restructuring gains traction.
IVF’s approval is a prerequisite for Marie Claire’s reconstruction plan to proceed. The public bank, which operates under the Generalitat Valenciana, has previously provided significant financing, including a 21 million euro loan used to settle overdue obligations to workers and suppliers. IVF clarified that it is awaiting an official refinancing proposal from the company and emphasized that these loans must be repaid. The bank also indicated that it remains open to negotiating more flexible terms depending on the company’s evolving situation.
In discussions, Marie Claire presents the refinancing strategy as vital for preserving a regional manufacturing footprint and sustaining employment in a challenging market. Stakeholders note the importance of a rapid, practical plan that aligns production capacity with demand while protecting workers and supplier relationships. The broader regional context includes ongoing efforts to support textile operations in Castellón, balancing industrial needs with fiscal and social responsibilities. Citations: El Periódico Mediterráneo, Prensa Ibérica; IVF official communications.