Syroco closes

Staff -- Casual Living, 7/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Syroco, which has made resin patio furniture since 1986 for retailers including Wal-Mart and Price Chopper, told its employees June 18 it is closing its doors for good.

Letters were given to 153 people who worked at the plant in Van Buren, N.Y., where the company has produced decorative wood products nearly 120 years. More than 500 people were employed there at peak production. The closing includes all Syroco plants, including locations in Arkansas and California.

A short letter dated June 15, gave the notice: "The company was actively seeking the necessary financing which, if obtained, would have enabled the company to avoid or postpone the shutdown."

A layoff of 35 Syroco employees in New York last March had signaled more job losses. David Mayers, an employee for 36 years, told a reporter from WSYR-TV that he was supposed to return to work June 18 after being laid off since June 6 because the company had run out of resin. He instead spent the day talking with shocked coworkers and trying to reach the company, but found out employees will not get any severance package.

The company told employees they would be reimbursed for unused vacation, and paid through June 18. They have ceased production and will be selling everything that's left.