Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 6, 1995                   TAG: 9506060118
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By JEFF STURGEON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

DUPONT LOVES JORDAN'S SWITCH

Jordan sparked activity in the shirt-making industry when he returned in March to the Chicago Bulls partway through the recently completed season, adopting number 45, which he had worn while playing baseball.

Shirts "had to be made with the number 45 for all the kids in the world that wanted them," said John Winske, manager of the DuPont plant. The company spins the nylon from which clothing companies make the shirts.

But that wasn't the end of the spinoffs from Jordan's return. Before the season ended, Jordan triggered a second shirt-making blitz by reverting to his old jersey number - 23 - which had been retired. Collectors again wanted shirts bearing that number.

"Michael Jordan's switch from 45 to 23 has been good for our business, and we wish he'd change numbers every week," said DuPont spokesman Bill Brown.

Jordan's fickle nature is just one factor in a strong nylon market, whose recent growth is reflected in plans by the DuPont nylon plant to add 25 employees, Plant Manager Winske said. The company began Monday to test the top 250 of 500 applicants for the Martinsville jobs, which will be filled in about a month.

The situation of the Jordan jerseys illustrates how tightly pro sports and the apparel industry are intertwined.

Sales of consumer items as diverse as carpet, tires, air bags and luggage are also contributing to the health of the nylon market, which Winske has said began to grow in December.

The Martinsville plant, which primarily produces nylon for apparel, last month produced 70 percent more nylon than called for in company forecasts, Winske said. It has restarted idled equipment and given temporary production jobs to 65 retirees. That followed a cut in employment from 1,300 people in 1993 to the present 550.

The unexpected strength of the nylon market promoted the decision announced two weeks ago to hire more 25 to 30 spinning machine operators, although employment will be held below 600, Winske said.

"There are signs the economy is starting to slow down, although in our particular business, so far, we have not seen that slowdown," Winske said.

Retirees, who are to be released from temporary jobs as new employees are chosen, can apply for the new positions. The starting wage for all new hires, regardless of past employment with DuPont, will be $7.41 hourly. New workers will be scheduled for a $3 raise within four months and receive a benefit package that includes health insurance, vacations and holidays, Winske said.