Ironing board manufacturing returning to Seymour
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A company in Seymour will resume manufacturing ironing boards beginning next week. The Tribune reports the operation will run under a new name, Seymour Home Products, after Chicago-based Home Products International-North America Inc. shut down production earlier this year.
In March, HPI filed a WARN notice with the state indicating plans to close its two manufacturing plants and distribution center in Seymour and lay off 123 employees in May.
Tom Day, chief operating officer for Seymour Home Products and former director of operations for HPI, told the publication the Seymour operation was acquired by New Jersey-based housewares wholesaler HDS Trading Corp. after HPI filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
“They swooped in at the last moment and saved us, and there are 40, 50 jobs more in Seymour, and plus, it means we’re back on the map for making ironing boards in the U.S.,” said Day.
Since coming under new ownership, Day says the company has been recalling employees who had been previously laid off. He says up to 65 jobs will be available when production resumes.
“Of course, different people had different emotions about it,” Day told The Tribune. “Some accepted work in different places and whatnot. Some have decided to change jobs and come back to work for us. Others decided to move on. But the vast majority were thrilled with the idea of coming back and making ironing boards.”
Seymour Home Products will operate all of the facilities previously run by HPI. Crews are currently getting machinery back in working order after they were being prepped for auction.
Production is scheduled to begin on September 6. Day says ironing boards will be the main product manufactured at the sites, with other products being added as needed.
You can read the full story from The Tribune by clicking here.