Iril, Swiss tights producer switches production to Poland in deal with Ferax

According to Gazeta Wyborcza, Iril, a major Swiss producer of tights and stockings, has decided to close its Swiss operations as of July 1 and move production to Poland. Iril's board decided to close its Swiss factory with Poland's Ferax from Zdunska Wola, taking over production. "We have been negotiating the deal for some time now," said Iril director Jean Marc Bolinger. Iril will also sell the Polish company its production equipment as well as materials and finished products, which will enable Ferax to sell high quality merchandise. The transaction also means that the Polish producer, under the new name of Ferax-Iril, will export its products to retail chains such as Marks&Spencer and Boots. According to Bolinger, the decision was essential for his company as its production costs in Switzerland were too high, but he said that Ferax has enough experience, know-how and production potential to be a success on the European market. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 23) M.T.K.