One of Brant County’s major employers is closing its manufacturing division at the end of the year.

Adidas Canada Ltd., which opened a massive distribution centre for its sports wear products in Brant County in 2016, has confirmed that it will close Adidas Team Manufacturing, formerly known as Saxon Manufacturing, on Dec. 31. The move will affect about 70 employees, including graphic artists, customer service representatives and sewers.

In a statement, the company, which has about 300 local workers, said the decision was made to "get closer to our consumer, facilitate speed in decision-making and ensure consistency across all regions and markets."

"Adidas will concentrate its design, development and manufacturing activities moving forward," said the statement.

The announcement, made in March, surprised some of the affected employees, who said the manufacturing operation is successful.

"None of us saw this coming," said one longtime worker, who asked not to be identified.

"We’ve been so busy we could have put on another shift. I know we’re profitable because we’re getting the highest bonuses this year we’ve had in years."

Saxon, established in 1977, was purchased by Adidas about a decade ago. It makes sports jerseys.

The employee said Adidas has arranged a "generous severance package," but that many workers will be without jobs.

"For many people, this was their first and only job and they don’t know the workforce."

The company statement said it is working to help all affected employees.

The company said it "would like to take this opportunity to thank all of them for their contributions and commitment to the success of the Adidas brand."

Adidas Canada opened an operation in Brantford in 1998, which it closed after building the warehouse-distribution centre in Brant County’s Brant 403 Business Park. The centre boasts a modern rapid conveyance system that helps workers ship goods to major retail stores or a single online customer.

The Adidas Team Manufacturing employee said that since Adidas notified suppliers and customers last month about the shutdown of the manufacturing division, orders have been dropping off.

"We’re struggling now and people doubt that we can last until December," the employee said.

"We thought we were with a big corporate company and our jobs would be secure forever," said the worker.

Adidas was a finalist this year for company of the year in the annual Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant business excellence awards.

Adidas, founded in Germany in 1949, employs more than 56,000 people in about 100 countries.

SGamble@postmedia.com

@EXPSGamble