Ben Carter
The Mayfield Consumer Products factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, produced candles, candle accessories, and home fragrance products. The factory, owned by the Propes family, was the third-biggest employer in the region and supplied candles to major US retailers like Bath & Body Works. On December 10, 2021, a tornado ripped through the factory, killing and injuring employees and causing widespread destruction. The disaster raised questions about why workers were still making scented candles as the tornado approached.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the candle factory | Mayfield Consumer Products LLC |
| Location | 112 Industrial Drive, Mayfield, Kentucky |
| Ownership | Family-owned by the Propes family |
| Number of employees | 110 at the time of the tornado; 550 in total |
| Products | Candles, candle accessories, and home fragrance products |
| Wages | Started at $8 per hour |
| Work shifts | 10-hour and 12-hour shifts with mandatory overtime |
| Customers | Major US retailers like Bath & Body Works |
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What You'll Learn
- Mayfield Consumer Products LLC made candles and home fragrance products
- The factory was the third-biggest employer in Western Kentucky
- Scented candles were sold to major US retailers like Bath & Body Works
- The company was founded by Mary Probus in 1998
- Eight people died at the Mayfield Consumer Products plant
Mayfield Consumer Products LLC made candles and home fragrance products
Mayfield Consumer Products LLC, a family-owned company, made candles, candle accessories, and home fragrance products at its factory in Mayfield, Kentucky. The company was founded by Mary Propes (also known as Mary Probus) in 1998, and it grew to become one of the largest employers in the county, with up to 550 workers. The candles produced by Mayfield Consumer Products ended up on the shelves of prominent US retailers like Bath & Body Works.
The company was an important economic engine for the region, and it was constantly hiring to meet market demand. Wages started at $8 an hour, which was higher than the minimum wage, and the company offered 10-hour and 12-hour shifts. However, employees were required to work mandatory overtime frequently, and some workers expressed concerns about the long hours and the need to work during dangerous weather conditions.
The Mayfield Consumer Products factory was destroyed by a tornado on December 10, 2021, resulting in tragic losses. Eight employees lost their lives, and another eight were initially reported missing. The tornado caused extensive damage to the building, leaving it with 15 feet of twisted metal, corrosive chemicals, and wrecked cars on what used to be the roof.
In the aftermath of the tornado, the company established an emergency fund to assist affected employees and their families. The Propes family, who owned the company, expressed their heartbreak and gratitude for the first responders and those offering assistance. The Kentucky National Guard played a crucial role in the rescue efforts, and all workers inside the factory during the tornado were eventually accounted for.
The Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory held significant economic and social importance in the local community. Its destruction and the resulting loss of life had a profound impact on Mayfield, leaving a big hole in the small Kentucky town.
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The factory was the third-biggest employer in Western Kentucky
The Mayfield Consumer Products factory, often referred to as the "candle factory", was the third-biggest employer in Western Kentucky. The family-owned business was founded by Mary Probus in 1998 and made candles, candle accessories, and home fragrance products. It employed many people in and around Mayfield, a city of about 10,000 in Kentucky's southwest corner. The factory was an important economic engine, with its products lining the shelves of malls and prominent retailers like Bath & Body Works across the US.
The demand for workers at the Mayfield candle factory was high, and it often struggled to find enough employees to meet market demands. In 2019, Mary V. Propes (Mary Probus's daughter) stated that labour was one of their biggest problems. To address this issue, the company advertised 10-hour and 12-hour shifts starting at $8 per hour, which was higher than the minimum wage. They also implemented mandatory overtime requirements. Despite these efforts, the company still faced labour shortages, and in 2008 they were forced to lay off 91 workers due to a weak economy and flagging post-Christmas demand.
The Mayfield candle factory was a lifeline for its workers, providing stable employment and competitive wages in the community. It was also a showcase of local entrepreneurship, with Hispanic workers referring to it as "Las Velas" because of the candles they produced. The factory was an integral part of Mayfield's economy and played a significant role in the lives of its residents.
In December 2021, tragedy struck when a tornado destroyed the Mayfield candle factory. Eight people lost their lives, and many others were injured. The company established an emergency fund to assist its employees and their families in the aftermath of this terrible disaster. Despite the devastation, Mayfield Consumer Products announced plans to expand its operations in Western Kentucky, investing $33.3 million over five years and aiming to employ more than 500 people. This expansion is expected to play a crucial role in the community's recovery and rebuilding efforts.
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Scented candles were sold to major US retailers like Bath & Body Works
The Mayfield Consumer Products factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, produced scented candles, candle accessories, and home fragrance products. The family-owned business was the third-biggest employer in the region, with an employee count of over 200 during busy seasons.
The scented candles produced at the Mayfield factory were sold to major US retailers, including Bath & Body Works. The factory was a significant economic engine, with its products lining the shelves of malls across the country. The demand for these scented candles was such that the factory operated with 10-12 hour shifts, including overtime, to meet market needs.
The Mayfield Consumer Products factory was founded by Mary Propes (or Mary Probus, according to one source) in 1998. It was part of MVP Group International, which had operations in various states and business ventures in China and India. In 2018, the Propes family retained sole ownership of Mayfield Consumer Products, with Troy Propes, Mary's son, serving as CEO.
The scented candles produced at the Mayfield factory contributed to its prominence in the retail market. The factory's ability to supply major retailers like Bath & Body Works showcases its significant production capacity and market reach. The demand for these scented candles also contributed to the factory's need for a large workforce, as evidenced by their ongoing recruitment efforts and collaboration with local inmate work programs.
The impact of the Mayfield Consumer Products factory extended beyond its economic significance. For the local community, the candle factory provided a source of livelihood and stability. The jobs offered at the factory were well-regarded, with wages starting at $8 per hour, close to the minimum wage, and opportunities for overtime. This made it an attractive option for residents of Mayfield, including Hispanic workers who referred to the factory as "Las Velas."
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The company was founded by Mary Probus in 1998
The Mayfield Consumer Products LLC candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, was founded by Mary Probus (or Propes) in 1998. Probus started the company in her garage, and it eventually grew to become one of the largest employers in the county, with 550 workers by the time of the storm. The factory made candles, candle accessories, and home fragrance products, supplying major US retailers like Bath & Body Works.
The company was a family-owned business, with Mary's son, Troy Propes, serving as the CEO since 2018. In 2000, the company expanded its operations beyond Mayfield, moving its headquarters to Charleston, South Carolina, and establishing a presence in other states, as well as in China and India.
The Mayfield candle factory was an important economic engine for the region, providing jobs for locals, including a significant number of Hispanic workers, and even offering opportunities for inmates from the local jail through a work program. The factory was a showcase of local entrepreneurship, with wages starting at $8 an hour, close to minimum wage, and offering overtime pay.
Unfortunately, the factory was devastated by a tornado on December 10, 2021, resulting in the loss of life and injuries to employees. The tornado caused the building to collapse, and rescuers had to scour the wreckage for survivors. The company established an emergency fund to assist its employees and their families in the aftermath of this terrible disaster.
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Eight people died at the Mayfield Consumer Products plant
On December 10, 2021, a tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. Among the buildings devastated by the storm was the Mayfield Consumer Products factory, a family-owned business that manufactured candles, candle accessories, and home fragrance products. Eight people died in the candle factory, making it the site with the highest number of casualties from the tornadoes that struck Western Kentucky.
Mayfield Consumer Products LLC was a significant employer in the area, with a total of 110 workers in the factory on the night of the tornado. The company was founded by Mary V. Propes, a Western Kentucky native, who also founded MVP Group International. The Mayfield candle factory was one of several consumer product manufacturers established by MVP Group International. While the group moved its headquarters out of Mayfield in 2000, the Propes family retained ownership of Mayfield Consumer Products, with Troy Propes, Mary's son, serving as CEO.
In the aftermath of the tornado, questions arose about why staff were still working in the factory as the tornado bore down on the region. Kentucky's governor, Andy Beshear, stated that there was no safe place to hide inside the plant due to the storm's ferocity. Workers had about 20 minutes of warning before the tornado struck, and most were sheltering in the designated area. However, some employees wanted to leave the building and take shelter elsewhere.
The tornado caused the factory building to collapse, trapping and injuring many workers. Rescue and search efforts were immediately launched, with first responders working to assist those affected by the disaster. The company also established an emergency fund to support its employees and their families. By Monday evening, all workers had been accounted for, and the Kentucky National Guard confirmed that the number of lives lost remained at eight.
The Mayfield Consumer Products factory was a vital part of the local economy and provided jobs for many residents in Mayfield and the surrounding areas. The factory's destruction and the loss of life left a significant impact on the community, with many expressing concern about their livelihoods and future prospects.
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Frequently asked questions
The factory produced scented candles, as well as candle accessories and home fragrance products.
The candles were sold to major US retailers like Bath & Body Works.
The factory employed 110 people when the tornado hit, but it had 550 workers at the time of the storm.
The factory was owned by Mayfield Consumer Products LLC, which is a family-owned business founded by Mary Probus.
