New owners start up Columbus plant one day after closing

COLUMBUS - Almost as soon as they were out of work, employees of Marubeni Denim had new jobs. And they didn&#39;t have to go far to get them. <br> <br> The Japanese company closed its doors Tuesday night. Wednesday, Denim North America was born. <br> <br> Almost all of the 300 textile workers took up where they left off, with the same plant, same benefits and same pay - an average of $12.50 an hour. <br> <br> The only difference is a change in ownership that reflects an interest in local businessmen keeping a local business operating. <br> <br> Tokyo-based Marubeni announced in December that it would close the plant if it could not find a buyer in two months. <br> <br> Bob Koon - a former consultant to Marubeni - will serve on Denim North America&#39;s board of directors and help with marketing during the transition. He is joining owners Jack Pezold - who also owns McDonald&#39;s restaurants - and George Jeter, a retired Aflac chief financial officer. <br> <br> Larry Galbraith will be president and CEO.