Raided New Bedford factory gets a new owner
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
By Benjamin N. Gedan and KAREN LEE ZINER
kziner@projo.com
Journal Staff Writers
http://www.projo.com

Michael Bianco Inc. has sold its New Bedford plant, the site of a high-profile immigration raid last March that resulted in the arrests of its owner, top managers and more than 300 employees.

The raid put in jeopardy millions of dollars in federal military contracts that made up the bulk of owner Francesco Insolia’s business, and it landed Insolia in court, facing charges of knowingly hiring illegal immigrants.

The deal closed on Saturday. It involved the transfer of the lease for the plant, and the sale of all Bianco equipment in New Bedford and a facility that Insolia had been building in Puerto Rico before the March 6 raid.

David Costello, a spokesman for the buyer, Eagle Industries Inc., declined to disclose details of the acquisition yesterday.

“Our industry experience coupled with the skilled New Bedford work force will allow us to continue to provide our soldiers with the very best gear,â€