We got no notice about them closing doors down. We have outstanding orders not delivered.

They knew this day was coming and they give us no warning?

This is going to cause a lot of companies a lot of trouble and they can't give us a warning that this was going to happen?

I hope they rot in hell. Why did I make a payment to them on time last month? Why? I am shooting myself in the foot rite now. I am so angries

Javier

That sucks. But now you posted here I am sure you will have in a matter of time every other metal manufacturer asking to come to the rescue.

Cue posts from Arch, Kawneer, Vitro, OBE, Coral etc etc etc

2 things to say to this.
It’s illegal to give out information on forthcoming bankruptcy filing.
Why did you pay your bill on time? Because it’s the right thing to do. Not paying your bill would make you a crook.

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Amen, Anon. for those that continued to purchase because the price was right... You got what you paid for. Don't cry foul now, you failed as much as they did. Seriously, purchase from suppliers that can back up their commitments, price never equals cost, it's been said a million times yet, you went low in your bid and you took a business risk when you purchased from a company in chapter 11. As if anyone on this blog should feel for you and your decision.

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Javier shoot me an email. We are in the same boat and I would like to talk to you about what might happen... mharcene@gmail.com

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say what?

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hang in there nother five or ten years you will learn what folk in the industry are talking about

ain't that the truth

I worked for United States Aluminum for over 20 years and we were not crooks. As an employee I did not like losing my job especially the way it happened. I will however defend United States Aluminum people, products and pricing. We were never considered the low price option that went to YKK, Vistawall and Tubelite. In the least 2-3 years as competitive as the industry became it was dog eat dog for market share and we got market share by having a competitive price and better service than most competitors. Sure we went through tough times as everyone else has with layoffs, furloughs etc. In the weeks and months prior to this news we at my facility were beginning to see better times ahead but due to the other organizations within the parent company's umbrella and these tough economic times it was decided it would be best to go Chapter 7. I do feel bad for the customers and called many to give them the news after I got the news. I had a very loyal following of customers that I had been handling for over 20 years and yes it was tough especially knowing some of them had orders ongoing with us and now they must go elsewhere. Yes it does cause the customers pain but don't call US Aluminum crooks when it was our lenders to our parent company that ultimately shut us down. There were other reasons for the demise of the company however I do not have the time or energy to type any longer. Good luck to all former U.S. Aluminum customers.

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sorry to differ but you ask u s customers why the bought for them? and will reply "because they were cheap"

Yes, I’ll hang around a few more years. I have only 38 under my belt just yet. Probably need a few more to understand what you old timers are talking about.
I’m more angry as I read the start of this post and a lot of the comments.
Understand that giving people a “heads up” that a company is about to declare chapter filing is a federal offence. One that you go to jail for. Real jail and for a long time.
Most glaziers are set on low price and not quality, service or better product. Stop pretending that it’s otherwise.
This is my 3rd hard time economy. Been there done that.
One last bit of news for the crook who regretted paying his bill on time. Whether you paid it or not on time. You will pay it soon. It’s an asset the judge will instruct you to pay. Without slimy back charges.
US aluminum was a good company with very poor executives who failed to take care of their responsibilities. After those poor executives the rest of the company where good people. Being a victim of the worst of 3 hard times I have ever seen does not make them crooks
PS. I don’t work for nor ever have worked for US. I would have liked to.

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Yes, there is plenty of capacity in the industry and the volume produced by US Alum will easily be absorbed. YKK AP has proven itself to be the most solid, financially stable, and secure producer in the USA for nearly two decades. I know because I have been there since day one. All of that with a wide product offering and unmatched quality. Make the right choice in your supplier transition, make it YKK AP!

P.S. I realize that many companies were left hanging when they shut the doors...but not fair to call them crooks. Running any business in the construction industry the past two years has been a challenge. Some just couldn't adjust but doesn't make them or their employees crooks. Theirs was not the first business failure in the industry and likely won't be the last.

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well alrighty then. arent we deified to receive such words of wisdom from such a great one! here, let me sound that trumpet for you for a while, you must be out of breath from blowing it so hard yourself.

I really don't feel this is the platform to up sell your company or seek medals of accomplishment.
It seems to me like a little bit of " ambulance chasing " going on by competitors.
U.S. Aluminum was not a loss leader due to pricing.
The downfall came once original ownership sold out to a group of "bean counters" ...just like we are now seeing with Arch & United Glass Group(warning).
Properties were sold, plants closed, layoffs, cut backs....mis management ect...in the end they ran out of beans and walked away...period.

I thought I had seen it all..........

you are sooo correct. sorry (seriously) about the "ex-sales" thing. losing one's livelihood especially at the expense of rookies and carpet baggers is just despicable. equally hideous is the rhetoric of the wolves in sheeps clothing.

well there you go... The chasers are in play now. I'm guessing Javier has been called by half a dozen metal guys ready to rescue. all this still boils down to industry ignorance. Go ahead, suggest the prices are too high to the next rep the rolls into your office. buy low and hope like hell everything turns out okay, come on industry wake up. You're debating the wrong thing.

The market is getting better, but the capacity available is still too much, fall pray to the low bid supplier and your going to be posting on this blog saying. "I'm in a pickle but it shouldn'e be my fault"... Stop doing this already!

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I feel terribly for those employees who have been led to believe that the future was bright with USAC and were urged to "hang in there" because "the hard part was over". They were thanked for their loyalty not only by losing their jobs, but losing vacation pay, and forced to wait for and hope to receive their last checks for money they have already earned. The only good thing to come out of this is that the perpetrators are facing the same fate with no golden parachutes. It's unbelievable to me that the same executives that were allowed to run the company into a Chapter 11 bankruptcy were retained long enough to finish it off for good. What a shame.

Don't be so sure... the "Boys" that were put in place in Monterey Park when Mr. V sold the company were put there under very generous terms and conditions... Their only objective was to make sure they drove the Ship right into the Iceberg.. and a fine job they did in a very short period of time !!!

Hi,
does anyone know if warranties on US Alum or IWC product will be honored? I think warranties are backed by some insurance companies.
I appreciate your help.

Does anyone know about the meeting in California about the closing of IWC on June 20th.2011

Email   beton72@hotmail.com  

All Court documents indicated that all subsidiaries of the parent Corporation were effective by Chapter 7 and were subsequently closed... Windows,Raco, Extrusion, and USAC were all tied together in the filings...
To that end .. there is no more IWC..

There are talks on the street that US Aluminum will open a "division" of US Aluminum...such as the impact division...(IMO no way!)

The last nail was the crack consultant they hired (Minihane). His motto: Terminate 50% of the workforce and retain 75% of the business.

Yes, but will the warranties be honored on their products. That's the question. I know that all subsidiaries are closed, but what happens to warranty agreements? Are they covered by some insurance companies? I think that's what happened in other few cases of companies shutting down. Insurance company designates another company to service warranty contracts.

Warranties are only good if there is secured funding for them. In this case, you're likely screwed. Yet another reason to know who you're purchasing from. I bet their are a lot of reader's that don't comprehend that you are now warranting their product under your contract.....

I couldn't agree more. The "new" management was more concerned about changing the offices around then learning the products or getting to know the customers. But, he did have a degree, or so he said...........

Absolutely true.

I could not agree more, the management at US Aluminum Vernon was clueless, i believe they were hired from outside the industry and never learned while there, what a shame.

The good news that I hear is that all the guys on the west coast have been picked up by CR Lawrence and a company called Arcadia. But back here I don’t hear any good news.

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I can say as a former employee that several folks from the Waxahachie, TX and Rock Hill, SC areas have been hired as well, some with Glazing Contractors and others such as myself with another manufacturer. There are others that are still being interviewed and or waiting on offers. So yes there is good news to report in these areas as well.

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I was also an employee of u s aluminum and the extrusion division for 15 years. Both were good places to work for.

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All Former U.S. Aluminum Employees: There Are Opportunities for You!

C.R. Laurence is interested in talking to all former U.S. Aluminum employees about job openings.

Please call (800) 421-6144 and ask for Extension 5110.

Looks like they are looking for employees too come back? Dont know if it is just in California though.


PRESS RELEASE


CRL Acquires U.S. Aluminum

C.R. Laurence Co. Inc. has acquired
U.S. Aluminum Company, formerly a part of the International Aluminum Group. In making the announcement, Lloyd Talbert, President of C.R. Laurence, states, "We are very pleased to announce the acquisition of the assets and business of U.S. Aluminum, one of the most respected names in the storefront and curtain wall business. Our plan is to contact customers and vendors of U.S. Aluminum to re-establish relationships."
In an effort to better serve U.S. Aluminum customers we invite those with open orders in progress to call CRL toll free at (800) 421-6144 and ask for the Commercial Department at Ext. 7700. We will assess the status of those orders and expedite their completion and delivery. You can also send your inquiries by email to architectural@crlaurence.com