Fruit of the Loom, Inc. Issues Statement Sharing Facts on Association with Velsicol Chemical Corporation's (Velsicol) Environmental Liabilities

(Jan 5, 2024) Bowling Green, KY - This January, multiple videos appeared online accusing Fruit of the Loom of environmental liabilities related to facilities originally owned by Velsicol Chemical Corporation (“Velsicol”).

Fruit of the Loom takes these allegations very seriously and our team members around the world work tirelessly to maintain high standards of responsibility to support our Fruitful Futures sustainability plan and commitments to our people, our planet and the products we create.

At one time, the Fruit of the Loom apparel business and Velsicol were both part of a conglomerate of many companies under the ownership of Northwest Industries, Inc., later known as Farley/Northwest Industries. In 1987 Farley/Northwest Industries changed its name to Fruit of the Loom Inc., and became a publicly traded company. At no point was the Fruit of the Loom apparel business involved in the management or operations of Velsicol.

In 1999, Fruit of the Loom, Inc., filed for bankruptcy, and later the Fruit of the Loom apparel business was purchased by Berkshire Hathaway in 2002. The remaining assets and liabilities of the bankrupt Fruit of the Loom, Inc., remained with the bankruptcy estate, which ultimately resulted in the creation of custodial trusts that remain responsible for the environmental liabilities related to the former Velsicol facilities under a settlement agreement that included the U.S. government. Fruit of the Loom is not a part of the settlement agreement.

Fruit of the Loom is fortunate, as a Company providing essential goods for more than 100 years, to be a part of Berkshire Hathaway, a supporter of our ongoing sustainability efforts and accomplishments.

For further inquiries, please contact Chris Champion, Chief Administrative Officer, at chris.champion@fotlinc.com.

Additional Information TikTok falsely links Fruit of the Loom to decades-old contamination crisis | Detroit Free Press