Hanesbrands, a leading producer of underwear and hosiery, has pledged assistance to earthquake relief efforts in Haiti where the company has a small percentage of its overall production.

“Hanesbrands offers its sympathy to the people of Haiti and its heartfelt concern for the well being of those associated with our contract sewing operations in the country,” said Gerald Evans, Hanesbrands’ President, International Business and Global Supply Chain. “We are working diligently to determine how we can get supplies and in-kind aid to Haiti, and we will be contributing to international aid agencies.”

Three of the four sewing operations that contract with Hanesbrands in Haiti are expected to be affected by the earthquake, and the company is using its extensive global supply chain operations to rebalance production to mitigate disruption and prevent a material impact to the company.

The contractors sew men’s casualwear and underwear T-shirts, but the significant majority of the company’s T-shirt sewing is conducted elsewhere, including in company-owned and contract sewing operations in the Dominican Republic and Central America. Production will be increased at Hanesbrands plants and contractors in these regions as well as in Asia.

Hanesbrands has confirmed that one of its four contractors in Haiti, located in the north of the country near the Dominican Republic border, did not suffer damage and is operating at full capacity. Products from that operation will use ports in the Dominican Republic for transportation of goods.

Of the company’s three contract operations near Port-au-Prince, two have reported little to no damage and one has reported some structural damage. These three operations are also expected to be affected by infrastructure issues, at least temporarily, involving the ports, roads, bridges and power systems.

The company will work directly with its contract partners to assist employees with food, water and other basic necessities as best it can and will offer other in-kind help. Hanesbrands has also initially committed to donate $25,000 to CARE’s Haiti Emergency Response Fund to help the country and its people cope in the aftermath of this natural disaster.