Global Fastener News

SPS Technologies faces a class-action lawsuit six days after a massive fire destroyed its aerospace fastener manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania, NBC-10 Philadelphia reports.

A group of attorneys filed a class-action suit alleging that, as a result of the February 17 fire at the plant north of Philadelphia, “hundreds if not thousands of persons have been damaged.”

“The fire and explosion was caused by defendant’s failures to inspect, properly maintain, and/or operate its facility, including the location of the origin of the fire,” attorneys claimed in a statement on the filing.

They also claimed that SPS “failed to uphold industry standards” in facility operations, according to NBC-10 Philadelphia.

As nearly 100 firefighters battled the blaze, officials closed schools and ordered residents within a mile radius to shelter-in-place, concerned that firefighting materials could have reacted with chemicals onsite to create arsenic. So far they have found no evidence of that occurring.

SPS representatives told local officials that most of the chemicals of concern were stored in a separate building that was not destroyed in the explosion or fire, according to Abington Township Police Chief Patrick Molloy.

“The tactical response from our firefighters prevented what could have been a mass casualty incident,” Molloy said.

SPS Technologies owner PCC Fasteners said the fire “significantly damaged the facility,” and likely started with an electrical transformer inside the 560,000 sq ft plant. All 60 employees on duty safely evacuated, and there were no immediate reports of injuries. The plant will be “offline for the foreseeable future.”

The factory’s sprinkler system was reportedly out of service because of a maintenance issue, local officials have stated.

The aerospace fastener manufacturer “employs high-temperature forging, fine metal powder milling, and chemical electroplating to craft superalloy-based products,” R&D World reports.

The group of attorneys are seeking SPS records of hazardous materials maintenance and management files, fire suppression system operating logs, along with other related system safety documentation – including personnel training and supervision reports.

The loss of the facility could slow Boeing’s 737 MAX production.

Founded in 1903 as Standard Pressed Steel Co., SPS operates under PCC Fasteners, a division of Precision Castparts Corp., which has been owned by Berkshire Hathaway since 2016. SPS manufactures aerospace bolts, nuts, and components using superalloys.