New Bedford factory is sold; was site of immigration raid

[Nouveauxpoor]

THIS IS BIG.


By Kathy McCabe, Globe Staff | November 4, 2007

The New Bedford leather goods company that helped push deportation methods into the national spotlight when it was raided by federal immigration agents in March has been sold to a Missouri-based manufacturer of military and law enforcement gear.

Michael Bianco Inc., whose top officers were indicted in August for allegedly taking overt steps to shield illegal workers from authorities and help them stay in this country, was sold to Eagle Industries Inc., a longtime competitor, according to David Costello, the buyer's Boston-based spokesman.

The factory's 300 workers will officially start tomorrow as Eagle employees, Costello said last night. "They want to try to make this as seamless as possible, so that people can continue to work."

Costello did not disclose the sale price, and Michael Bianco's president, Francesco Insolia, 51, reached at home in Pembroke last night, referred questions about his case and the sale to his lawyer, Frank A. Libby Jr. of Boston. Libby could not be reached for comment.

Eagle Industries, based in Fenton, Mo., is a private company run by a third generation of the Carver family, which founded it 30 years ago.

Eagle has 1,700 employees worldwide, Costello said.

"The idea here is to continue to fulfill existing contracts and put new work into the facility and hire new workers," Costello said.

New Bedford's mayor, Scott Lang, called the sale good news for the port city. "I look forward to working with the Eagle Industries leadership to secure future contracts that will spur further job growth in our city," he said in a statement.

Eagle officials are at the factory on the waterfront, Costello said.

"They're going to ensure a safe working environment that's well-lit, clean, and follows quality procedures," Costello said.

"All employees will be legal," he added.

Michael Bianco Inc. was criticized for poor working conditions for employees, many of whom were illegal immigrants and labored at stitching machines with little time for breaks or lunch. Hundreds were arrested in the raid and faced deportation.

Insolia; Dilia Costa, a production manager; and Gloria Melo, a contracts specialist, were indicted in August. Following the raid, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined Bianco $45,000 after identifying 15 violations, including chemical, mechanical, and electrical hazards.

Since 2001, Bianco has secured government contracts worth $230 million to make backpacks and other military gear.

Kathy McCabe can be reached at kmccabe@globe.com.


© Copyright 2007 The New York Times Company


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[Richard]

There are skilled American and legal seamstresses who were not taking jobs at Michael Bianco because they wanted more money. Since the case began a few of the other sewing shops have closed. If the federal supply contracts at Michael Bianco are good they can find the local workers they need by getting the ones that got laid off nearby to work for them.