Justin Brands closes shop in Cassville and Carthage
July 8, 2020
Sheila Harris
Employees of Justin Boots in Cassville received word Monday morning that the doors will be permanently closed on Justin Brands’ production operations in both Cassville and in Carthage.
According to Frances Nelson, human resources manager for Justin Brands, headquartered in Ft. Worth, Texas, the closure of the Justin and Chippewa factories in Cassville and in Carthage was a difficult decision brought about by unprecedented
times.
“Unfortunately, the economic reality has forced us to make hard decisions that are necessary to sustain the legacy
of our brands long into the future,” Nelson said. “We recognize the skill that has gone into the footwear produced in Missouri over the years, which is why we have asked our Missouri workers to consider the possibility of relocating to one of our other factories,” she continued. “Making high-quality boots is an art, and we value the skills, loyalty and dedication
of the Cassville and Carthage area employees.”
Angie Periman, who has worked for Justin as a double-needler for the past four years, said employees were notified by text last Thursday to be in attendance on a conference call scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, July 6.
“We thought the reason for the conference call was to let us know when we could go back to work,” she said. “Instead,
they told us they were closing the plant. Because it was a conference call, we could hear everyone's reaction to the news. Some people got really angry; others began crying.”
Periman could not hold back her own tears as she explained what the plant closure meant to her.
“We were like family at Justin,” she said. “We were all really close, so having the plant shut down is like losing
family.
Justin Brands has been manufacturing boots in Cassville since 1981, when they purchased 45,000 square feet of floor space
from Jumping Jacks and U.S. Shoe Corporations. They officially began operation on July 6, 1981. Eighty-seven employees were hired over the following two-week period, with preference given to those who had previously worked for Jumping Jacks before their closure in 1980.
Peggy and Doyle Edie, of Exeter, were two such employees, who have since retired.
“It was hard when Jumping Jacks closed,” Peggy Edie said, “so I know what the Justin employees are going through now. We had two kids in school then, and, suddenly, neither one of us had a job. We were very thankful to be asked to go to work for Justin when they came to Cassville. They were a good company to work for.”
For Peggy Edie, the transition from making shoes to making boots simply meant more leather to clean, until she was promoted to a lead person for the packing department, a position she held until she retired.
After Justin began operation in 1981, their initial output with a new crew of employees was just 100 pairs of boots a day, a number which quickly increased. According to a record left by James Latshaw, previous plant manager, Justin was producing 2,200 pairs of boots per day in 1988. Prior to this year’s March closing, the plant was producing 4,000 pairs per week.
In July 1984, three years after Justin Brands began production in Cassville, a new 19,200 square foot warehouse was added to their facility; in 1985, part of the boot production was moved to the newly acquired building on the north end of the property which previously housed Mozark Poultry Company; then, in 1988, Justin purchased the former Garrett Manufacturing building across County Farm Road, to the west of its then- existing structure, with plans to increase its workforce and manufacturing capability.
Current plant manager, Marc McCracken, says he is devastated by the plant’s closure in Cassville.
“We’ve been like a family here,” he said. “All of the employees have gone over and above with this job. We’ve been through some tough times together. During the last big flood we had here, we had water running through the plant, but the very next week, we were meeting our quota again.”
McCracken, who’s 62 years old, isn’t sure what he’ll do next.
“I’ll be here shipping out inventory and materials for the next 90 days or so,” he said. “I have a small crew lined up to help me. After we’re finished, though, I don’t know what I’ll do. I’m not ready to retire yet. I feel like I still have some good miles left in me.”
According to 46-year-old Angie Periman, Justin offered employees severance packages, due to arrive in the mail within two days. She’s not sure what her package will consist of.
“They did offer me the opportunity to relocate,” she said, “to either El Paso or somewhere in Pennsylvania.”
Neither was an option she was willing nor able to consider.
Justin Brands employed 147 people in its Cassville plant, and 171 people in its Carthage facility. Their withdrawal from these communities will spell loss for many.
Sheila Harris
Employees of Justin Boots in Cassville received word Monday morning that the doors will be permanently closed on Justin Brands’ production operations in both Cassville and in Carthage.
According to Frances Nelson, human resources manager for Justin Brands, headquartered in Ft. Worth, Texas, the closure of the Justin and Chippewa factories in Cassville and in Carthage was a difficult decision brought about by unprecedented
times.
“Unfortunately, the economic reality has forced us to make hard decisions that are necessary to sustain the legacy
of our brands long into the future,” Nelson said. “We recognize the skill that has gone into the footwear produced in Missouri over the years, which is why we have asked our Missouri workers to consider the possibility of relocating to one of our other factories,” she continued. “Making high-quality boots is an art, and we value the skills, loyalty and dedication
of the Cassville and Carthage area employees.”
Angie Periman, who has worked for Justin as a double-needler for the past four years, said employees were notified by text last Thursday to be in attendance on a conference call scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, July 6.
“We thought the reason for the conference call was to let us know when we could go back to work,” she said. “Instead,
they told us they were closing the plant. Because it was a conference call, we could hear everyone's reaction to the news. Some people got really angry; others began crying.”
Periman could not hold back her own tears as she explained what the plant closure meant to her.
“We were like family at Justin,” she said. “We were all really close, so having the plant shut down is like losing
family.
Justin Brands has been manufacturing boots in Cassville since 1981, when they purchased 45,000 square feet of floor space
from Jumping Jacks and U.S. Shoe Corporations. They officially began operation on July 6, 1981. Eighty-seven employees were hired over the following two-week period, with preference given to those who had previously worked for Jumping Jacks before their closure in 1980.
Peggy and Doyle Edie, of Exeter, were two such employees, who have since retired.
“It was hard when Jumping Jacks closed,” Peggy Edie said, “so I know what the Justin employees are going through now. We had two kids in school then, and, suddenly, neither one of us had a job. We were very thankful to be asked to go to work for Justin when they came to Cassville. They were a good company to work for.”
For Peggy Edie, the transition from making shoes to making boots simply meant more leather to clean, until she was promoted to a lead person for the packing department, a position she held until she retired.
After Justin began operation in 1981, their initial output with a new crew of employees was just 100 pairs of boots a day, a number which quickly increased. According to a record left by James Latshaw, previous plant manager, Justin was producing 2,200 pairs of boots per day in 1988. Prior to this year’s March closing, the plant was producing 4,000 pairs per week.
In July 1984, three years after Justin Brands began production in Cassville, a new 19,200 square foot warehouse was added to their facility; in 1985, part of the boot production was moved to the newly acquired building on the north end of the property which previously housed Mozark Poultry Company; then, in 1988, Justin purchased the former Garrett Manufacturing building across County Farm Road, to the west of its then- existing structure, with plans to increase its workforce and manufacturing capability.
Current plant manager, Marc McCracken, says he is devastated by the plant’s closure in Cassville.
“We’ve been like a family here,” he said. “All of the employees have gone over and above with this job. We’ve been through some tough times together. During the last big flood we had here, we had water running through the plant, but the very next week, we were meeting our quota again.”
McCracken, who’s 62 years old, isn’t sure what he’ll do next.
“I’ll be here shipping out inventory and materials for the next 90 days or so,” he said. “I have a small crew lined up to help me. After we’re finished, though, I don’t know what I’ll do. I’m not ready to retire yet. I feel like I still have some good miles left in me.”
According to 46-year-old Angie Periman, Justin offered employees severance packages, due to arrive in the mail within two days. She’s not sure what her package will consist of.
“They did offer me the opportunity to relocate,” she said, “to either El Paso or somewhere in Pennsylvania.”
Neither was an option she was willing nor able to consider.
Justin Brands employed 147 people in its Cassville plant, and 171 people in its Carthage facility. Their withdrawal from these communities will spell loss for many.