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There have been recent developments regarding American LaFrance following the company's sudden closure last month. The shutdown has left many employees and customers in a difficult position, with some even filing legal action over what they claim was an improper termination.
According to WCBD TV, a class-action lawsuit has been filed by Richardson Patrick Westbrook & Brickman (RPWB) on behalf of two former employees of American LaFrance, a fire truck manufacturer based in South Carolina. The lawsuit alleges that the company violated the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) by not providing proper notice before laying off workers on January 17, 2014. Both employees had worked for the company for about a decade before their termination.
Despite being contacted by News 2 about the alleged WARN violation, American LaFrance has not responded publicly. However, in a statement sent via email, 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, who represents the former employees, expressed frustration over the abrupt closure. He stated, “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. Our firm has extensive experience in protecting the rights of workers locally and nationally, and our goal is to make sure these employees receive all they are due.â€
The closure affected approximately 150 employees across three locations: Moncks Corner, South Carolina; Ephrata, Pennsylvania; and Los Angeles, California.
Meanwhile, the Summerville Journal reported that the company had recently moved from its large factory in Summerville to a smaller facility in Moncks Corner. Despite the move, the company still faced financial difficulties, leading to the abrupt shutdown.
A statement from the company, obtained by firehouse.com, confirmed the closures, citing “unexpected current financial condition†as the reason. It also mentioned that the facilities would not be reopening.
In another report, WSOCTV.com revealed that the Hickory Fire Department had ordered a $700,000 ladder truck from American LaFrance, which was set to replace an aging unit. However, the company’s sudden closure has put that order in jeopardy. Mayor Rudy Wright called the closure a “tremendous tragedy†for one of America’s most iconic brands.
The city of Hickory had already paid a significant portion of the truck’s cost upfront, but it is now uncertain when or if they will receive the vehicle. However, the city claims they have a performance bond in place, which should allow them to recover their money.
American LaFrance, a company with over 170 years of history, has built thousands of emergency vehicles for departments across the country. Its legacy includes crafting some of the first fire trucks in the early 20th century, including the very first one for the Hickory Fire Department in 1914.
Lancaster OnLine reported that the company closed its West Earl Township plant along with others in South Carolina and California. While American LaFrance claimed it would continue to support customers through a third-party vendor, many remain concerned about the future of the brand.
With a long history of innovation and quality, American LaFrance’s sudden exit has left both employees and customers in limbo. As the company moves forward, questions remain about how it will handle its obligations and whether it will ever return to the market.
Thanks, Dan.
June 26, 2025