KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Ampace Corp., citing losses in its furniture hauling operations, announced the closing of its Asheboro, N.C., facility, effective Nov. 16.
In addition, chairman John LeBouton and another Ampace board member, Mike Crabtree, president of U.S. Internet, resigned their positions. Both men cited personal reasons and time constraints for their decision.
Mr. LeBouton joined Ampace in May 1998. He implemented a restructuring plan designed to centralize management of the company’s business units, improve equipment utilization and cut costs.
The company lost $2.8 million on revenue of $11 million in the six months ended June 30, 1998.
In September, Ampace sold its Orlando, Fla., and Columbus, Ohio, operations to LinkAmerica Corp. of Tulsa, Okla. (TT, 9-7-98, p. 3)
The decision to close the North Carolina facility will affect about 20 employees, the company said.
Ampace will continue as a long-haul dry van carrier based in the Southeast, officials said.
The resignations leave Ampace with five directors, including former Ampace executives and co-founders Bruce Jones and Jay Taylor, Ampace President David Freeman, and two outside directors.
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