(Or warehouse… sorry for the gallows humor. This is actually really sad.)
This scoop just in! The Troy Messenger announced the following today:
State and federal investigators have determined arson the cause of a fire that destroyed Hamilton Crossroad’s Carter Brothers Manufacturing last Monday.
“The cooperative investigation has developed evidence in this case to conclude the fire to be of incendiary origin,” said State Fire Marshal Ed Paulk.
The investigation, led by the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, began last week after Carter Brothers caught fire in the early morning hours of July 12 and destroyed the structure’s warehouse.
From someone who used to work at Carter Brothers, I can say is this sort of crime has a deep and lasting impact on the entire industry. More than the 40 people who worked at the Brundidge headquarters and their nationwide army of sales reps who fought hard to expand their coverage, but also the untold number of Carter and SYM dealers around the nation, who are already struggling to stay afloat in this battered economy. How will they support their customers with parts and service? Only time will tell.
It’s sad to think that the SYM name could be tarnished in the USA for a long time… assuming they even remain in our market. It’s a bit early to make any public speculation, so let’s just say “We hope the perpetrators are brought to justice.” Tune in tomorrow as more news unfolds tomorrow.
19. July 2010 at 9:39 pm
The unfortunate thing is that most won’t be able to separate Carter Bros. from SYM. Lasting impact is sadly the truth.
19. July 2010 at 11:08 pm
I doubt all that many scooterists know who Carter Brothers is. Speculation has been for some time that they might not be renewed as SYM’s U.S. distributor next year. I’d say this seals the deal.
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20. July 2010 at 2:58 am
I guess it’s time to watch my local scooter listings for a SCORCHING deal on a SYM RV 250. Several local shops were advertising new old stock 2008 models at 1000 or more off MSRP — for some reason they just can’t sell the things. This might motivate them even more.
20. July 2010 at 7:05 am
While it has been ruled arson we should not assume it was someone who works there that is responsible? I think we should hold off the condemnation until we have all the facts.
20. July 2010 at 7:48 am
I agree, it could be an owner, neighborhood kid, disgruntled employee, customer, or some random firebug.
20. July 2010 at 9:01 am
Well, I haven’t seen anyone point any fingers here, yet. However, the fact that they had that much warehouse space without sprinklers would probably cause SYM to not want to renew the distributorship, regardless of how the fire started.
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20. July 2010 at 9:04 am
(other than that, does anyone know the whereabouts of Corky Ionucci on that night?)
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20. July 2010 at 9:14 am
No!!!! Not Pie-O-My!
20. July 2010 at 9:15 am
Good catch, Steve! Wow, I figured I was on my own with that one. :)
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20. July 2010 at 9:03 am
Absolutely! At this point all we know is that while everyone was on vacation, someone set Carter a blaze, causing $18+ million dollars in damage, the loss of millions of dollars in slow moving scooter inventory and possibly destroying their local computer based records. Fortunately the fire only destroyed their warehouse and a portion of their cart manufacturing. The main office seems to have suffered little more than minor smoke damage.
It’s too bad they didn’t install a sprinkler system after the last fire that destroyed their manufacturing during Christmas break back in 2000.
23. July 2010 at 7:51 am
Slow moving scooter inventory? You mean non-moving scooter inventory. There were no 2010 models in the warehouse. Most were 2008 models.
20. July 2010 at 10:08 am
Keep the updates coming, It will be interesting to see where it all leads. At this point I would think they are above average for the number of fires at the workplace…