SPS Technologies Building Demolition 'Ahead Of Schedule:' Official

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA — The demolition of the SPS Technologies building destroyed in a massive mid-February fire is ahead of schedule, according to a township official.

Abington Township Commissioner Matt Vahey provided an update Monday on the demolition. The demolition started in mid-May, three months after the massive fire at the Highland Avenue building fought by over 70 fire companies.

Here are the SPS Technologies Vahey provided:

• Demolition — Progress on the demolition is moving quickly and is ahead of schedule. Above-grade demolition should be substantially complete by the fall.
• Highland Avenue Closure — The township will close Highland Avenue so that SPS can safely complete the demolition of the buildings fronting the road. The closure is expected to begin the week of Aug. 18. By this time, officials expect the SEPTA bridge project to be complete and for Easton Road to be open. The closure of Highland Avenue should last no more than two weeks.
• Future Development — SPS is interested in rebuilding on the site. Township staff and I continue to discuss the development process with SPS leadership, and I will share more information as details take shape. If SPS choses to proceed at the existing site, I expect the new structure to have a smaller footprint, and it will be built to modern standards. Please note that SPS has not yet submitted any plans for township consideration. I do not yet have a timeline for next steps.

One month after the fire, SPS Technologies announced it was laying off half of its 500-person workforce.

The company that owns SPS Technologies, Precision Castparts Corp., issued a statement in mid-March about the layoffs.

“After intense analysis of what areas of the location were severely impacted, SPS Technologies has a clearer picture of our personnel needs," the company said. "Regretfully, we will have to make employment adjustments to align with those product lines and volumes the Company can still support.”

The average SPS Technologies employee has worked at the company for 25 years and was offered four weeks of compensation, officials said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.