Charlotte.

• Position: REGIONAL REPORT - Meshed briefs, Tanager Financial Services

HICKORY -- WestPoint Stevens, a West Point, Ga.-based textile maker, will close its factory here by year-end. It employs about 300 making bedding accessories.

CONCORD -- Richmond, Va.-based cigarette maker Philip Morris USA, part of New York-based Altria Group, will invest about $200 million in its plant here. Most will pay for equipment upgrades. No jobs will be created, but the company says the investment will help keep jobs at the plant, where about 2,600 work.

CHARLOTTE -- Wachovia will buy Boston-based Tanager Financial Services, the nation's 10th-largest independent money manager, with $2 billion of assets under management. It will become part of Wachovia Wealth Management. Terms weren't disclosed.

STANLEY -- Blum, part of Austria-based Julius Blum, will spend $30 million to expand here and add at least 40 jobs. Its plant makes hinges and runners for cabinets and drawers. The 40,000-square-foot expansion will add three production lines and warehouse space and is expected to be complete by December 2005. The 400,000-square-foot plant, which also is the company's North American headquarters, employs about 400.

LINCOLNTON -- Northbrook, Ill.-based home-furnishings retailer Crate & Barrel will open a 210,000-square-foot distribution center here by March. It will employ 20.

MONROE -- Greiner Bio-One completed a 28,000-square-foot expansion. The 78,000-square-foot plant employs 80, and the company plans to add 15 jobs by year-end. Part of Austria-based...