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American LaFrance … sad news (more)
There have been recent updates regarding American LaFrance since the company abruptly closed its doors last month, leaving hundreds of employees without notice and raising concerns about potential legal violations.
According to a report from WCBD TV, a class-action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of two former employees of American LaFrance, a South Carolina-based fire truck manufacturer that shut down unexpectedly last week. The lawsuit, led by the law firm Richardson Patrick Westbrook & Brickman (RPWB), claims that the employees—and others—were not given proper notice under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) before being laid off on January 17, 2014. Both employees had worked for the company for around a decade before their termination.
American LaFrance has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the alleged WARN violation, but in an emailed statement, the company said, “Unfortunately, the company’s unexpected current financial condition requires the discontinuation of operations in these locations at this time, and these facilities are not expected to reopen.â€
Jay Ward, an attorney with Richardson Patrick, expressed frustration over the sudden closure, stating, “These employees have been left out in the cold. Not only did they lose wages and benefits, they lost the time they needed to search for new employment.†He emphasized that his firm is committed to ensuring workers receive what they are owed.
The closure affected three major facilities: Moncks Corner, South Carolina; Ephrata, Pennsylvania; and Los Angeles, California, resulting in the layoff of approximately 150 employees.
Meanwhile, the Summerville Journal reported that the company had moved its operations from a large factory in Summerville to a smaller location in Moncks Corner just months before the shutdown. Despite this relocation, the sudden closure still caught many off guard. The law firm confirmed that the lawsuit was filed on behalf of two employees who had worked for the company for over a decade.
In another update from WSOCTV.com, the Hickory Fire Department learned that their long-awaited $700,000 ladder truck would no longer be delivered after the company went out of business. The truck was meant to replace an aging unit at Fire Station Three. Mayor Rudy Wright expressed shock at the news, calling it a “tremendous tragedy†for a historic brand. The city had already paid a significant portion of the cost upfront, but officials are now uncertain if they will ever receive the truck. However, they claim to have a performance bond in place to protect their investment.
Lancaster OnLine reported that American LaFrance also shut down its facility in West Earl Township, Pennsylvania, along with the other two plants. In a statement, the company said it would work with a third-party vendor to continue providing parts and service for existing vehicles. This move comes after the company faced financial difficulties, including a bankruptcy filing in 2008.
With a history dating back over 170 years, American LaFrance once built iconic fire trucks, including the first one for the Hickory Fire Department in 1914. Collectors like Lee Huffman lament the loss of such a storied name in the industry.
As the situation unfolds, affected employees and customers are left in limbo, hoping for clarity and resolution. The story of American LaFrance serves as a reminder of the challenges facing long-established companies in today’s economic climate.
Thanks, Dan.