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Specialty Filaments Suspends Operations Leaving 175 Jobs In Jeopardy

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Tuesday January 9, 2007

By Cheryl White

    Specialty Filaments suspends operations. As many as 175 jobs would be lost if the company fails to reopen. This company, with roots back to the 1870’s, reported annual sales in the $40 million range in 2005. Competition from off shore manufacturers have resulted in falling revenues.

    The Vermont Economic Development Authority stepped in to the picture in 2004 to help sure-up this local business with loan guarantees. S.F.I., which manufactures bristles for a broad range of products, closed a plant in Burlington a few months ago and consolidated operations in Middlebury, hoping to cut operating costs, and continue their core business.

    Speaking with several employees, the common felt opinion was “something like this was going to happen.” all parties involved hoped the company would refinance or find a buyer to continue this business because of it’s importance to this community.

    Governor Jim Douglas, speaking with WCAX news, offered his support through state agencies, to assist workers in job placement and training to help ease the impact of this business closing.

    S.F.I. formerly known as Polymer, has a long history in Middlebury. Francis Dupois, a former employee, now retired, recalled his long time employment with Polymers in a July 2006 article in the Valley Voice.

    Francis, who retired in 1985 after 38 years of service with the company, was the second employee hired by al Drews and Gil Shaw. In his own words, Francis describes how he grew up with the company, rising to the position of plant works manager. At the time of his retirement, the business employed 225 people.

    Specialty Filaments has been a corner stone of the addison County Community for longer than most of us can remember. We can only hope that efforts to continue this once prosperous business are successful.

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