The Canadian garment company said the acquisition will expand its scale and strengthen its global positioning.

Gildan Activewear is buying the struggling HanesBrands for $2.2 billion in a deal that gives the basic apparel maker access to household name brands like Hanes and Maidenform. The companies put the transaction’s valued at about $4.4 billion when HanesBrands’ debt is included.

In a major move to consolidate the basic side of the apparel industry, Gildan Activewear Inc. has agreed to buy HanesBrands Inc. in a cash and stock deal that values the innerwear giant stock at $2.2 billion.