W.E. Bassett 'Meant So Much To Us'

Shelton-based W.E. Bassett Co., maker of the "Trim" line of manicure sets, announced last week that they will be moving their operations, resulting in job losses for 200-225 people. It's an economic loss that city officials say is unfortunate yet was unavoidable, and some of the details surrounding the relocation are still fuzzy.

"Nothing is going to convince them to stay here. I think it’s logical that what you have is cost savings in that you do all the work in one place," said Shelton's aldermanic president John Anglace. "I don’t think even if the state offered a tax break they'd be interested in it. It’s not the reason theyre leaving; it makes economic sense to consolidate."

Where exactly operations will be consolidated in unclear. Late last year, W.E. Bassett was acquired by California-based Pacific World Corporation. However, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell said he had heard the new company operations may be consolidated in Mexico.

Representatives from W.E. Bassett could not immediately be reached for comment.

"They meant so much to us. We are losing great corporate citizens and philanthropists," Purcell said. "They bought the real estate and the brand many years ago and our hope was that they'd stay here, but they have other plans."

Purcell said the land and building on Trap Falls Road will most likely be put on the market once the company closes its doors in November 2012, with the goal of "finding someone to fill it with good jobs and productivity."

When Shelton Patch , readers Vin & Fran Delmore asked if the city could offer any incentives to keep W.E. Bassett and similar companies in the Valley. Both Anglace and Purcell said it's not a matter of what Shelton can do because this is a private, not city, decision.

"As a general rule, Shelton does not offer any incentives to anybody," Anglace said. "We have low and stable taxes, the lowest in the state. [Business owners] can come in here and plan how they're going to do business and know they can expect no bumps, no spikes, no surprises."

Purcell said larger issues like cost production for W.E. Bassett outweigh the appeal and benefit of Shelton's low taxes.

"Unfortunately it's a done deal," he said. "The fate has been sealed and the best we can do is find another buyer who would stay here."

Purcell said the two main challenges going forward are assisting the displaced workers and finding some kind of work to backfill the property.

"I'm concerned about the people, but I believe [W.E. Bassett] will do the right things in helping them transition. You can't spit in the faces of the workers, they've been with them for a long time," Anglace said.

According the the U.S. Department of Labor's website, W.E. Bassett employees are eligible for benefits under a trade adjustment assistance act. Purcell said the Department will be coming to Shelton to speak with W.E. Bassett reps and employees.