Executives of Dalton-based Shaw Industries say the carpet company is laying off employees at plants in the northwest Georgia cities of Ringgold and Eton.

Company officials declined to say how many workers are affected.

Director of Human Resources Al Scruggs said the company anticipates having positions available at other Shaw facilities for employees interested in staying with the company.

Shaw is one of the major employers in the Dalton area, where the economy depends heavily on firms that produce floor coverings. The Dalton area is known as the carpet capital of the world, but the industry has struggled in recent years.

The Daily Citizen reports that Shaw shed nearly 7,000 employees during the past five years due to the economy and changing customer preferences.

Tags: Dalton, Shaw Industries