BUSINESS CLOSURE ANNOUNCEMENT
To Our Valued Customers, Partners, and Community:
It is with deep sadness that Diamond Brand Gear Company must announce the permanent closure of our business, a direct result of the catastrophic damage sustained during Hurricane Helene on September 27, 2024. While we regret that we were not able to survive this disaster, we will never forget what we accomplished over the last 143 years. We will always be grateful for such great people and so many relationships. From customers to employees, to our community and to our partners, we will miss them all.
The unprecedented destruction caused by the hurricane rendered our facilities and critical infrastructure irreparably damaged. After careful assessment and consultation with insurance providers, shareholders, and our management team, we concluded that rebuilding and recovery are not financially viable.
Several weeks ago, we thought we might have a chance to come back albeit in a slightly different form. When we shared this plan with many of you, your responses were amazing. You inspired us to pursue financial support from our community. Our vendors worked directly with us to settle their accounts. Our customers promised to be patient and provide us with orders when we were ready to take them. We’re humbled and awed by your encouragement and generosity.
When we look back and reflect on what we were able to do over these many years, we can take comfort in the fact that we always did good work for our customers. We can also take comfort that in recent years, we stayed true to our big idea which was to inspire creativity, exploration, and personal growth. Now that we are closing, we invite you to help us promote these ideals in years to come and keep the spirit of Diamond Brand alive.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our customers, employees, and community who have supported us throughout our journey. The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene may have made continuation impossible, but the pride over what we accomplished together continues. Thank you all for allowing us to do what we loved to do, design and sew durable, sustainable and beautiful things.
Key Details of Closure:
1. Hurricane Impact
– Our primary facility at 145 Cane Creek Industrial Park Rd in Fletcher, North Carolina suffered extensive flood damage
– Critical business equipment and infrastructure were destroyed other than what we could salvage to help others
– Estimated clean up, repair and replacement costs exceeded our available resources
2. Closure Effective Date: December 18, 2024
– All business operations will cease on this date
– We will process all outstanding obligations to the best of our ability prior to closing
3. Customer and Vendor Commitments
– All orders processed after the storm will be refunded in full
– We successfully minimized disruption to clients, customers and projects
– Outstanding invoices will be processed according to our standard procedures
4. Grantor and Lender Commitments
– All recovery grants received will be returned
– Recovery loans will be repaid in full
5. Contact for Final Inquiries through December 31, 2024
– Contact: John Delaloye
– Email: jdelaloye@diamondbrandgear.com
– PO Box 279, Skyland, NC 28776
– Phone: 828.209.0307
Warmest regards,
John Delaloye, CEO