Chloe Zhang
Impact Plastics, Inc., a plastics manufacturer based in Erwin, Tennessee, was founded by Gerald O'Connor in 1987. O'Connor, who started the company by renting time on other manufacturers' machines, has overseen the company's expansion into a successful business serving over two dozen original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Impact Plastics, Inc. |
| Location | Riverview Industrial Park, Erwin, Unicoi County, Tennessee |
| Year founded | 1987 |
| Founder | Gerald O'Connor |
| Type of business | Manufacturer of plastic injection-molded components |
| Customers | Small companies to multibillion-dollar corporations |
| Number of employees | 50-200 |
| Ownership | Private |
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What You'll Learn
Gerald O'Connor founded the company in 1987
Gerald O'Connor founded Impact Plastics, Inc. in 1987. The company is located in Erwin, Tennessee, in the Riverview Industrial Park. It is a manufacturer of plastic injection-molded components, serving more than two dozen original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). O'Connor started the company on a shoestring budget, renting time on other manufacturers' machines to fill his orders. He worked a full-time day job and would spend his nights running the machines himself, loading them, and packing them out.
O'Connor recognized that his company's success was dependent on the economy, particularly the housing industry, point-of-purchase business, and the automotive sector. He understood the importance of quality in their products, stating that they had "not made one bad part in 2 and a half years" of supplying the automotive industry. O'Connor also emphasized the versatility of their business, noting that they are not limited to a specific type of injection molding and can work with various materials such as polystyrene, propylene, nylon, and fiberglass.
The company has experienced success and expansion over the years, with O'Connor crediting his workforce for their resurgence. They have worked with a diverse range of clients, from small companies to multibillion-dollar corporations, and have established themselves as a fixture in the plastic manufacturing industry.
Unfortunately, in 2024, Impact Plastics faced a devastating flood during Hurricane Helene, resulting in the deaths of two employees and several others missing. O'Connor expressed profound grief over the loss and offered his thoughts and prayers to the families of those affected. The company is organizing a recovery center for employees and has expressed sympathy for those impacted by the tragedy.
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Hurricane Helene caused flooding at the plant
Hurricane Helene caused flooding at the Impact Plastics factory in Erwin, Tennessee, resulting in multiple fatalities and missing persons. The flooding was deemed a 5,000-year event, with the nearby Nolichucky River overflowing and inundating the area. Muddy water swept away SUVs and trapped a dozen people, including longtime employee Johnny Peterson, who was killed along with five others. The final death toll at the plant stood at seven, with the last body identified as that of 29-year-old Rosy Reynoso, a month after the flooding.
Impact Plastics, a plastics manufacturing plant, was founded by Gerald O'Connor in Erwin, Tennessee. The company has been at the centre of controversy following the flood, with allegations that employees were told they would be fired if they left the facility during the hurricane. While Impact Plastics denied these claims, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation launched a probe into the accusations. The company stated that employees were evacuated approximately 45 minutes before the flood's peak, and that they actively monitored the weather conditions.
The impact of the flooding was exacerbated by the plant's location, which was known to be prone to flooding during rainstorms. While most of the property was outside the highest-risk flood zone on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maps, recent estimates indicated a high risk of flooding during major storms. This discrepancy highlighted the challenge of accounting for extreme rainfall associated with climate change in flood risk assessments.
The devastating flood at Impact Plastics resulted in a total of seven deaths and left families seeking answers and accountability. The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration also initiated an investigation into the incident. In the aftermath, Impact Plastics announced plans to resume operations in the future, indicating the company's intention to continue its business activities.
The flooding caused by Hurricane Helene at the Impact Plastics plant in Erwin, Tennessee, resulted in a tragic loss of life and raised questions about emergency preparedness and response. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with potential legal repercussions for the company.
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Employees were not told they could leave
Impact Plastics, a plastics manufacturing plant in Erwin, Tennessee, was recently struck by a devastating flood during Hurricane Helene. The tragedy resulted in multiple fatalities and missing persons among the employees. In the aftermath, questions have arisen regarding the company's handling of the situation, particularly concerning employee evacuation protocols.
Some employees of Impact Plastics have come forward, alleging that they were not given explicit permission to leave the facility despite the impending danger. Jacob Ingram, a mold changer at the company, recounted that managers instructed them to move their cars away from the rising water but did not initiate an evacuation. Ingram recalled thinking that they should have evacuated when they received flash flood warnings and witnessed the flooding in the parking lot. He shared that when employees inquired about evacuating, they were told, "not yet," it wasn't bad enough.
In a statement to the media, Impact Plastics asserted that employees were never informed that they would face termination if they left the premises. The company acknowledged that some employees remained on-site or nearby for unknown reasons. However, they emphasized that the decision to stay was not mandated. The company expressed profound grief over the losses and extended sympathies to the affected families.
While the impact of the flood was undeniable, the aftermath has sparked a discussion about the responsibility of businesses in ensuring the safety of their employees during natural disasters. The incident has brought to light the delicate balance between maintaining operations and prioritizing the well-being of staff in potentially hazardous situations. As investigations continue, the focus shifts towards learning from this tragedy and implementing measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The impact of the flood on the employees of Impact Plastics was significant, with some sharing their experiences and questioning the company's decisions. As the community grapples with the aftermath, the priority remains on providing support to those affected and seeking ways to enhance emergency preparedness and response in the future.
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Rescue efforts were made by neighbouring companies
Devastating floods struck the Impact Plastics manufacturing plant in Erwin, Tennessee, resulting in multiple fatalities and missing persons. The flood, brought about by Hurricane Helene, caused catastrophic damage to the plastics factory, trapping and killing several employees.
As the flooding escalated, rescue efforts were made by neighbouring companies. Some employees attempted to escape the industrial park using a truck belonging to a neighbouring company. Unfortunately, the truck capsized, leading to the disappearance of five employees and a contractor. Five others who were also on the truck when it overturned managed to escape and were later evacuated to safety.
Additionally, employees who chose to leave the premises via the CSX railroad track behind the facility due to the high waters at the front entrance were offered assistance by employees of an adjacent company. A National Guard helicopter was also dispatched, rescuing five employees who were airlifted to safety.
Ron Kell, the owner of a nearby manufacturing company, R&R Manufacturing, also played a crucial role in the rescue efforts. After sending his own employees home, he personally went to Impact Plastics to lend a helping hand. Despite these valiant efforts, some individuals were still unable to be rescued, and the impact of the flood was felt deeply by the community.
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Impact Plastics plans to resume operations
Impact Plastics, a Unicoi County, Tennessee plastics factory, has announced plans to resume operations following the tragic deaths of several employees during the Hurricane Helene flood.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is investigating the plant, located in Erwin's Riverview Industrial Park, where several workers were swept away by floodwaters. The company's founder, Gerald O'Connor, expressed profound grief over the deaths and said, "We are devastated by the tragic loss of great employees... Those who are missing or deceased, and their families are in our thoughts and prayers."
Impact Plastics has stated that employees were never told they would be fired if they left the facility during the flood, and that senior management was the last to leave the building. The company also reached out to emergency responders to help rescue people. Some employees left the premises using a truck from a neighboring company, which unfortunately overturned, resulting in the disappearance of five employees and a contractor. Five others on the truck survived and were evacuated.
Despite the tragedy, Impact Plastics plans to resume operations in the future. The company was founded in 1987 by Gerald O'Connor and has since become a successful manufacturer of plastic injection-molded components, serving over two dozen original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). O'Connor has credited his workforce for the company's resurgence and expansion, and he is committed to ensuring that the company is ready for recovery.
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Frequently asked questions
Gerald O'Connor is the founder and owner of Impact Plastics, Inc. in Erwin, TN.
Impact Plastics was founded in 1987 by Gerald O'Connor.
Impact Plastics is a manufacturer of plastic injection-molded components.
Impact Plastics serves more than two dozen original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), ranging from small companies to multibillion-dollar corporations.
Gerald O'Connor started Impact Plastics by renting time on other manufacturers' machines to fill his orders.
