National: May 25, 2001

Greensboro, N.C.-based Cone Mills Corp. announced plans to eliminate approximately 575 jobs as part of a restructuring plan that includes closing one facility and consolidating yarn production in another in Rutherford County, N.C., reducing the company’s denim-weaving capacity; the company also announced plans to expand its Parras Cone business in Mexico...The American Apparel & Footwear Association has named Kevin M. Burk president of the Washington, D.C.-based trade association; Burk is currently vice president of government relations for Food Distributors International, a grocers trade association; he succeeds Larry Martin, who retired last year...New York-based Kenneth Cole Productions Inc. has inked a deal with Kids Headquarters to produce a line of children’s apparel under the Reaction Kenneth Cole label...New York-based Liz Claiborne Inc. has signed an intent to acquire Netherlands-based apparel and accessories firm Mexx Group BV for about $264 million; the deal will add the young urban Mexx label to the company’s stable of brands, which includes Liz Claiborne, Dana Buchman, Curve, Crazy Horse, Sigrid Olsen, Laundry by Shelli Segal and Lucky Brand Dungarees; the company also holds some of the apparel licenses for DKNY and Kenneth Cole New York...Canton, Mass.-based retailer Casual Male Corp. announced it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code; the company plans to remain open during the restructuring...New York-based IWA, a division of Hartmarx Corp., has signed a licensing agreement with London-based label Ted Baker to launch a line of Ted Baker women’s apparel for Fall 2001...New York-based Tractor Jeans haslaunched a new junior plus-size denim label for Spring; the collection will feature Tractor styles in sizes 14–22.