Milwaukee Steel Casting Company Closing, Dozens Of Workers To Lose Jobs

MILWAUKEE, WI — A Milwaukee steel casting company will shut down and eliminate all 77 of its jobs after a court-appointed receiver was unable to find a buyer for the business, according to a notice filed with the state.

Maynard Steel Casting Company and Maynard Alloy Casting Company LLC will begin separating employees at their facility at 2856 S. 27th St. starting Dec. 4, according to a WARN notice dated Oct. 5. Employees' health care benefits will also end that day.

The notice was sent to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Dislocated Worker Unit and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

According to the letter, the Milwaukee County Circuit Court appointed attorney Devon J. Eggert as receiver for the two companies, effective May 11, under Chapter 128 of Wisconsin statutes.

Since then, Eggert and his financial consultant have tried to sell Maynard Steel's assets as a going concern through the court-supervised receivership, but were unable to do so, the notice states.

"Therefore, a mass layoff or plant closing will follow," the letter reads.

Every position at the company will be permanently eliminated. According to a list included with the notice, the cuts include 66 production employees, six administration employees and five operations employees.

The notice states that a job bumping system will not be available, meaning employees will not be able to move into positions held by less senior workers, and that no other employment opportunities will be offered.

Maynard Steel said it could not provide earlier notice, citing the "unforeseeable business circumstances," "faltering company" and "liquidating fiduciary" exceptions in federal and state law. The letter also states that it should not be construed as an admission that the company is covered by those laws.

"We regret having to make the decision; however, business and industry circumstances leave us no alternative," the letter states. "We thank you for your hard work and dedication."

The federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act generally requires employers with 100 or more employees to give 60 days' notice ahead of plant closings and mass layoffs. Wisconsin's own business closing and mass layoff law, which covers employers with 50 or more employees in the state, carries a similar 60-day notice requirement.

Questions about the notice can be directed to Eggert at 414-390-5935 or deggert@bcblaw.net.