Business

Major manufacturer in Berkeley Co. closes

American LaFrance
American LaFrance

MONCKS CORNER, S.C.—On Friday American LaFrance, LLC announced the closing of its warehouse, production and service facilities in Moncks Corner, SC, Ephrata, PA and Los Angeles.

The company, which had been in business for more than 150 years, was headquartered on Spring Grove Drive in Moncks Corner.

Close to 200 people reportedly worked at the Moncks Corner location.

American LaFrance, a Lynn Tilton company, was a major manufacturer of fire, rescue and vocational vehicles throughout the tricounty and globally.

A spokesperson for the Lynn Tilton company stated that, “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.”

This is not the first time American LaFrance has fell on hard times. In 2008, the manufacturer declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy but later said to have recovered successfully from their financial struggles.

“American LaFrance management is currently completing documentation for exciting new business ventures,” said Patriarch Chief

Executive Lynn Tilton in a press release at the time. “These initiatives are instrumental to the decision to rationalize facilities and processes for anticipated ramp of new lines of production. The Company also plans to significantly broaden its focus beyond domestic borders into the global market,” Tilton added.

Unfortunately, the more than century old company will no longer be working toward that goal or looking ahead to an exciting future.

The company is advising its customers that they will be able to continue obtaining replacement parts and service for vehicles manufactured by American LaFrance from a new third party vendor.

A spokesperson for American LaFrance said it has plans to contact customers with information about where they can obtain parts and service for their vehicles in the near future.

Nikki Gaskins Campbell
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