I was about to pull the trigger on the 12" Urban Green All natural latex mattress from Foam Sweet Foam, which uses Latex International’s natural latex, and comes with a 30 year non-prorated warranty. I’m a little concerned about the stability of Latex International, with their long history of fires, and now seeking bankruptcy protection, how will this affect companies like Foam Sweet Foam, when it comes to their warranties?
Shelton firefighters are on the scene at the Latex Foam Products Co. on River Road, doing overhaul after putting out a fire — the second in four days – in an oven unit.
The Monroe and Trumbull Nichols Fire Departments and an engine company from Derby manned Shelton firehouses under a mutual aid agreement when the fire broke out shortly before 10:30 a.m.
The latest fire was declared out at 11, but units are remaining on the scene and an investigation into the cause has begun, officials said.
A more serious fire on Thursday morning ripped through the factory, causing heavy damage. The fire comes at a difficult time for the company that has filed for bankruptcy protection. Thirteen years ago, a fire destroyed its sprawling factory in downtown Ansonia.
Fires and the latex foam company have a long history.
The company was started by former employees from the Sponge Rubber Products Co. that was destroyed by the spectacular arson fire on March 1, 1975. Thousands of people in the Valley lost their jobs because of the plant’s destruction.
In 1985, Latex foam relocated to Ansonia. Then, in 2001, that downtown Ansonia plant was also destroyed in a massive fire.
In 2002, Latex International relocated to a 208,000-square-foot facility at 510 River Road in Shelton. Some eyebrows were raised a year later when Mayor Mark Lauretti bought an adjacent parcel to the latex factory that was formerly owned by Emhart Properties. Lauretti, who was also serving as Shelton’s economic development director, bought the land for $325,000 and later sold it 10 years later to a condominium developer for $1.9 million. Ethics complaints filed against Lauretti were denied.
Earlier this month, the Latex International filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. On June 4, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Bridgeport granted all four first-day motions proposed by Latex Foam International Holdings as the company seeks Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Its subsidiary businesses, including Latex International and Pure LatexBLISS, are part of the filing.
The goal of the bankruptcy is to continue operations and producing its Talalay Latex, said James Berman, a partner in the Bridgeport law firm of Zeisler & Zeisler, which is representing the company.
An ad in Thursday’s Connecticut Post announced a planned auction of the company’s property and assets.
http://blog.ctnews.com/connecticutpostings/2014/06/30/another-fire-reported-at-latex-foam/