Ben Carter
In December 2021, a candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky was destroyed by a tornado. The Mayfield Consumer Products factory, located on the town's west edge, was flattened, with cars from the parking lot landing on top of it. The company, which was founded in 1998, employed 245 people at the time and was the biggest employer in Graves County.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Mayfield, Kentucky |
| Company Name | Mayfield Consumer Products |
| Year Founded | 1998 |
| Number of Employees | 110 |
| Family-Owned? | Yes |
| Wage | $8 per hour |
| Shift Hours | 10-12 hours |
| Work Days | Monday to Thursday |
| Day Shift Start Time | 4:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. |
| Afternoon Shift Start Time | 5:00 p.m. |
| Overtime | Mandatory and frequent |
| Owner | Mary V. Propes (founder); Troy Propes (CEO); Propes Family (owners) |
| Products | Scented candles and home fragrance products |
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What You'll Learn
- The Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory was destroyed by a tornado in December 2021
- The factory was a family-owned business that employed 110 people
- The company advertised 10-12 hour shifts starting at $8 an hour
- The factory was founded by Mary Propes in the mid-1990s and made scented candles for prominent retailers like Bath & Body Works
- There are questions about whether the company did enough to prevent deaths, as workers were told to shelter in the factory during the tornado
The Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory was destroyed by a tornado in December 2021
The Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, was destroyed by a tornado in December 2021. The factory, located at 112 Industrial Drive, was flattened by the tornado, with cars from the parking lot ending up on top of the wreckage. The tornado hit late on a Friday evening, with around 110 people working the overnight shift. Eight people were confirmed dead, and another eight were initially reported missing.
The factory was a family-owned business, founded in Mayfield in 1998 by Mary V. Propes. It was the third-biggest employer in the area, with its scented candles stocked by prominent US retailers like Bath & Body Works. The company was still hiring at the time of the tornado, advertising 10-hour and 12-hour shifts starting at $8 an hour.
In the aftermath of the tornado, questions arose about why staff were working during the storm. A lawsuit was filed by workers, who claimed that supervisors threatened to fire them if they left the factory. The lawsuit also alleged that the company did not train employees in emergency safety protocols and that there was only one hallway and two bathrooms to shelter 110 employees during the tornado.
The company's CEO, Troy Propes, stated that workers were told to shelter in the bathrooms, which had windowless concrete walls and a steel roof. He added that management did not want to evacuate the building and send workers out into the storm. Propes expressed heartbreak over the tragedy and said their immediate efforts were to assist those affected.
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The factory was a family-owned business that employed 110 people
The Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory in Kentucky was a family-owned business that employed 110 people. The company was founded in Mayfield in 1998 by Mary Propes, who started the business in her garage, and it grew to become one of the largest candle-makers in the region. In 2000, the company's headquarters moved from Mayfield to Charleston, South Carolina, but the Mayfield factory remained in operation.
The factory was the largest employer in Graves County, providing jobs to many locals. The company was hiring at the time of the tornado, advertising 10-hour and 12-hour shifts starting at $8 per hour, 75 cents above the minimum wage. The high demand for workers was due to the Christmas rush, with the factory operating 24/7 to meet candle demand.
On Friday, December 10, 2021, a powerful tornado ripped through the Mayfield candle factory, resulting in a tragic loss of life. The factory was flattened, with heavy machinery, cars, and corrosive chemicals creating a scene of devastation. The company's CEO, Troy Propes, confirmed that employees were instructed to shelter in the factory's bathrooms, which had windowless concrete walls and a steel roof.
The tornado caused widespread destruction, with Governor Andy Beshear declaring it the "most severe tornado event in Kentucky's history." The factory was reduced to rubble, and the rescue efforts that followed focused on finding survivors in the wreckage. Despite the devastation, it was considered miraculous that more people were not found dead, given the extent of the destruction.
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The company advertised 10-12 hour shifts starting at $8 an hour
The Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory in Kentucky was destroyed by a tornado in December 2021. The factory, located at 112 Industrial Drive in Mayfield, was flattened by the storm, with cars from the parking lot ending up on top of the wreckage. Tragically, there were casualties, with eight of the 110 workers on the overnight shift confirmed dead and another eight initially reported missing.
The candle company, founded in 1998, was a family-owned business that employed 245 people at the time of the disaster. In the lead-up to the tornado, the company had been advertising job openings, with 10-12 hour shifts starting at $8 an hour. This was 75 cents more than the minimum wage at the time. The day shift would start anywhere between 4:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., while the afternoon shift commenced at 5:00 p.m. The company also informed potential applicants that mandatory overtime would frequently be required, either by extending shifts or working on Fridays.
The Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory was part of MVP Group International, a company founded by Mary V. Propes, a native of Western Kentucky. The Mayfield factory was opened to manufacture candles and home fragrance products, which were sold to prominent retailers like Bath & Body Works. The Propes family retained ownership of the Mayfield factory even after divesting their interest in MVP Group International in 2018.
In the aftermath of the tornado, the company faced scrutiny over its decision to keep the factory open despite the impending storm. While management stated that workers were instructed to shelter in the factory's bathrooms, which had windowless concrete walls and a steel roof, some questioned if enough was done to prevent the deaths and injuries that occurred. Several survivors of the tornado working at the factory filed a lawsuit, arguing that managers failed to handle the situation appropriately.
The impact of the tornado extended beyond the candle factory, with Governor Andy Beshear declaring a state of emergency and deploying all available resources. The National Guard was positioned in multiple counties to search for survivors, and the White House also sent aid. The company itself pledged to make donations to relief funds, including the American Red Cross and the Community Foundation of West Kentucky CFWK Disaster Relief Fund.
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The factory was founded by Mary Propes in the mid-1990s and made scented candles for prominent retailers like Bath & Body Works
The Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, was founded by Mary Propes in the mid-1990s. Propes started the company in her garage, and it eventually grew to become one of the largest candle-makers in the region. The company was a family-owned business that designed and manufactured branded candles and home fragrance products.
The factory employed around 110 people and was the biggest employer in Graves County. The workers produced scented candles, which were sold to prominent retailers like Bath & Body Works. The company was hiring at the time of the tornado, advertising 10-hour and 12-hour shifts starting at $8 per hour, which was above the minimum wage.
On Friday, December 10, 2021, a powerful tornado ripped through the Mayfield candle factory, reducing it to rubble and trapping workers inside. The tornado was part of a larger storm system that caused widespread destruction in Kentucky and other states. The factory was left with 15 feet of twisted metal and wrecked cars on what used to be the roof. Unfortunately, several people lost their lives in the tragedy, and many others were injured or missing.
The company faced criticism and lawsuits from workers and their families, who questioned whether enough was done to prevent the deaths and if the storm response was handled appropriately. Despite the tragedy, there were miraculous stories of survival, including inmates from the Graves County Jail who were working at the factory and helped rescue efforts.
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There are questions about whether the company did enough to prevent deaths, as workers were told to shelter in the factory during the tornado
On Friday, December 10, 2021, a tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, causing severe damage to the town and its candle factory, Mayfield Consumer Products. The factory was left in ruins, with twisted metal, corrosive chemicals, and wrecked cars strewn across what was once the roof. The tornado specifically targeted the factory, which employed 110 people at the time, killing eight and injuring at least 17 others.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, questions have arisen regarding the company's preparedness and whether adequate measures were taken to safeguard the lives of its workers. While the company asserted that employees were instructed to seek refuge in the factory's bathrooms, which had windowless concrete walls and a steel roof, critics argue that management's decision not to evacuate the building put workers at unnecessary risk.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear described the devastation as "nothing he'd ever seen", with heavy machinery, flattened buildings, and cars piled on top of the rubble. He also acknowledged the difficulty of finding a safe haven within the plant due to the tornado's intensity. However, he expressed hope that the designated shelter area provided some protection.
The company, owned by the Propes family, had been working tirelessly to meet the high demand for candles during the Christmas season, with employees working mandatory overtime and extended shifts. The factory was a significant employer in Mayfield, providing jobs for many locals, including inmates from the Graves County Jail, who were praised for their bravery and dedication during the rescue efforts.
As investigations into the incident unfold, lawsuits have been filed by workers who believe the company mishandled the storm response. The company, meanwhile, has pledged to provide donations to various relief funds and offer direct support to its affected associates.
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Frequently asked questions
Mayfield Consumer Products is a candle company based in Mayfield, Kentucky.
In December 2021, a tornado ripped through the Mayfield candle factory, killing at least eight people and injuring many others.
The tornado caused severe damage to the factory, reducing it to rubble with 15 feet of twisted metal and wrecked cars on what was once the roof.
The candle factory in Maysville, Kentucky, offered low wages, with starting pay at $8 per hour, and required long shifts of 10 to 12 hours, including frequent mandatory overtime. The company also did not provide healthcare benefits, and employees have reported a lack of concern for their well-being from managers and line leaders.
