Company Suddenly Closes in South Bend

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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA subsidiary of Texas-based Williams Industrial Services Group Inc. has closed up shop in South Bend. Koontz-Wagner Custom Controls Holdings LLC has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which the South Bend Tribune reports is leaving about 110 employees out of work.
In a press release Wednesday, Williams Chief Executive Officer Tracy Pagliara said, "It has been a slow and difficult process to complete the strategic alternatives review for Koontz-Wagner. After their second sales effort did not go as planned, Koontz-Wagner assessed a number of other options and, in consultation with its professional advisors, came to an informed conclusion that a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing was most appropriate under the circumstances."
A spokesperson for Williams tells the South Bend Tribune the affected employees have received pay for their unused vacation days and other accrued time. They are also being offered two months of continuing pay and the company will cover the difference in cost between Cobra insurance and what they employees are currently paying.
Additionally, the CEO of a similarly-named company, Koontz-Wagner Services, released a statement clarifying that his company is not involved in the bankruptcy proceedings. Mike Fernander says Koontz-Wagner Custom Controls is a different business.
"They serve different clients, have different employees and management, as well as different owners," Fernander said. "Koontz-Wagner Services is in no way involved or affected by the happenings at Koontz-Wagner Custom Controls Holdings.”