Jessie Taylor
Mayfield Consumer Products is a Kentucky-based, family-owned company that manufactures branded candles and home fragrance products. It was founded in Mayfield, Kentucky, in 1998 and has since expanded its operations, including investing over $8 million in 2018 to increase its production capacity. The company supplies candles and fragrances to major retailers, including Bath & Body Works. In December 2021, a tornado struck the Mayfield candle factory, resulting in casualties and sparking discussions about workplace safety and emergency preparedness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Mayfield Consumer Products LLC |
| Company Type | Family-owned |
| Year Established | 1998 |
| Location | Mayfield, Kentucky |
| Product | Branded candles, candle accessories, and home fragrance products |
| Customers | Bath & Body Works |
| Employees | 110 at the time of the tornado; 245 in 2018 |
| Working Hours | 10- to 12-hour shifts, Monday through Thursday, with mandatory overtime |
| Wage | $8 per hour |
| Ranking | Third-largest private employer in Graves County |
| Incidents | Destroyed by a tornado on December 10, 2021, resulting in casualties |
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What You'll Learn
Mayfield Consumer Products is a family-owned business
Mayfield Consumer Products LLC, a manufacturer of candles and other home fragrance products, is an American family-owned company based in Mayfield, Kentucky. It was founded in 1998 in the garage of Mary Propes, who is also the founder of MCP. The Propes family retained ownership of the company after divesting interests in MVP Group International.
Mayfield Consumer Products manufactures branded candles and home fragrance products for companies such as Bath & Body Works. In 2018, the company invested more than $8.3 million to expand its operations. The company currently employs 160 people in Western Kentucky, although employment totals can vary depending on the economy and seasonal demand for its products, with Christmas being a busy time. In 2021, the company faced a devastating blow when one of its factories was destroyed by a tornado, resulting in multiple casualties and injuries.
The tornado, which hit on December 10, 2021, caused the factory roof to collapse, trapping 110 employees inside. The company faced multiple lawsuits following the incident, due to allegations of forcing their employees to stay in the factory despite the impending storm. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Mayfield Consumer Products established an emergency fund to assist its employees and their families.
Despite the challenges, Mayfield Consumer Products has shown resilience and a commitment to the community. In 2022, the company announced plans to invest $33.3 million and employ more than 500 people full-time over the next five years as part of its rebuilding efforts. The company has already begun construction on a significant expansion of its facilities, demonstrating its determination to recover and continue its operations.
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The company makes branded candles and home fragrance products
Mayfield Consumer Products is an American family-owned company based in Mayfield, Kentucky. It was established in 1998 by Mary Propes, who started the business in her garage. The company manufactures branded candles, candle accessories, and home fragrance products.
Mayfield Consumer Products sells its products to retailers such as Bath & Body Works. In 2018, the company invested over $8.3 million to expand its operations, with the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approving $1 million in tax incentives. The company employed 245 people at the time, with some working 10- to 12-hour shifts, four days a week, and earning $8 per hour, just above Kentucky's minimum wage.
On December 10, 2021, a tornado struck Mayfield Consumer Products' factory, resulting in fatalities and injuries. The company faced lawsuits due to allegations of forcing employees to stay in the factory during the storm. The tornado caused widespread destruction in Mayfield, levelling the factory and trapping over 100 employees in the building.
Mayfield Consumer Products is one of the largest employers in Mayfield and Graves County, Kentucky. The company has been subject to scrutiny for its labour practices, including long working hours and mandatory overtime. Despite this, the company has received support from the community following the tornado disaster.
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The candle factory was destroyed by a tornado in 2021
Mayfield Consumer Products, a family-owned company based in Mayfield, Kentucky, manufactures branded candles and home fragrance products. The company was founded in 1998 by Mary Propes, who started the business in her garage. Over the years, Mayfield Consumer Products grew to become Graves County's third-largest private employer, with a workforce that could exceed 200 people depending on the season and market demand.
On December 10, 2021, a powerful tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, causing widespread destruction. The tornado directly hit the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory, levelling the building and trapping the 110 employees inside under the collapsed roof. Tragically, eight people lost their lives, and many others were injured.
In the aftermath of the tornado, Mayfield Consumer Products faced intense scrutiny and multiple lawsuits. There were allegations that the company had forced employees to stay in the factory despite the tornado warnings, threatening to fire those who wanted to leave early. Workers also claimed that they had not received adequate training on tornado emergency protocols and that there was insufficient shelter space in the building.
The company denied any wrongdoing and stated that they had policies in place allowing employees to leave whenever they wanted. They also asserted that managers and team leaders were trained in emergency drills following established guidelines.
The destruction of the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory highlighted the devastating impact of tornadoes and raised questions about disaster preparedness and workplace safety. The company faced the challenging task of assisting affected employees and their families while also dealing with legal repercussions and public scrutiny.
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There were 110 employees in the factory at the time
On December 10, 2021, a tornado ripped through a candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, resulting in eight confirmed casualties and leaving several others injured or missing. At the time of the incident, there were 110 employees in the factory.
Mayfield Consumer Products, the company that owned the factory, is a family-owned business that manufactures branded candles and home fragrance products. It was founded in 1998 and had expanded its operations in 2018 with an investment of over $8 million. The company employed around 245 people at the time, with employees working 10- to 12-hour shifts and earning $8 per hour, just above Kentucky's minimum wage.
In the aftermath of the tornado, there were questions and lawsuits regarding the company's decision-making and whether enough was done to protect the employees. The factory was reportedly running 24/7 to meet the holiday demand, and employees had expressed concerns about the need to work despite the impending storm. However, others defended the company, highlighting the impact on the local community and the support provided to affected employees and their families.
The tornado caused widespread destruction in Mayfield, levelling the factory building and leaving few structures standing in the town. The impact of the tornado extended beyond the factory, affecting the lives of the employees and their families, as well as the broader community. The rescue and recovery efforts involved first responders and emergency crews from around the state, with Governor Andy Beshear expressing hope for additional rescues.
The incident at the Mayfield Consumer Products factory highlighted the delicate balance between economic demands and the safety of workers, especially during severe weather events. It underscored the vulnerability of workers in such situations and prompted discussions about workplace safety protocols and emergency preparedness.
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The company faced multiple lawsuits
Mayfield Consumer Products, a family-owned company based in Mayfield, Kentucky, manufactures branded candles and home fragrance products. The company was founded in 1998 by Mary Propes, who started the business in her garage. Over the years, Mayfield Consumer Products expanded its operations and employed over 200 people, becoming Graves County's third-largest private employer.
On December 10, 2021, a powerful tornado struck one of the company's factories, resulting in a tragic incident that left eight people dead and many others injured or missing. The factory, which housed 110 employees, was destroyed, and the workers were trapped under the collapsed roof. In the aftermath of this disaster, the company faced multiple lawsuits and allegations of forcing their employees to stay in the factory despite the impending danger.
The lawsuits against Mayfield Consumer Products included a mass action lawsuit filed on behalf of the families of the deceased employees and 14 survivors. This lawsuit alleged that the company put its workers in harm's way by not prioritizing their safety and well-being. In addition to this, there were also false-light and defamation claims made by employees who were inside the factory when it collapsed. These claims were allowed to proceed by a federal judge, indicating that the plaintiffs presented valid arguments worth exploring further in court.
The lawsuits against Mayfield Consumer Products have brought attention to the company's labor practices and the value placed on human life versus production and profit. Before the tornado hit, the company was struggling to find enough workers to meet market demand, offering an $8 hourly wage for 10- to 12-hour shifts with frequent mandatory overtime. The labor shortage led to a partnership with the local jail to provide inmate labor for the candle factory. Unfortunately, the tornado disaster exacerbated the issues, with one worker, Kyanna Parsons-Perez, sharing that she felt the need to work despite the storm due to financial obligations and the upcoming holidays.
As of December 2024, three years after the tornado and subsequent lawsuits, the legal proceedings were still ongoing, causing frustration among those affected. The slow pace of the legal system has left injured persons without compensation and facing financial difficulties. This situation has highlighted the need for a more efficient system to provide timely resolutions for those seeking justice.
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Frequently asked questions
Mayfield Consumer Products manufactures candles for brands such as Bath & Body Works and Colonial Candle.
Yes, Mayfield Consumer Products is a family-owned company based in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Mayfield Consumer Products manufactures home fragrance products and candle accessories.
In 2021, the company advertised a salary of $8 per hour, with mandatory overtime.
Mayfield Consumer Products was founded in 1998 in the garage of Mary Propes. The company has since expanded its operations and employed 245 people in 2018.
