FAQs

UPDATED: June 10, 2025

What does the facility manufacture?

PCC Fasteners – SPS Jenkintown specializes in the design and manufacture of high strength nuts, bolts, and associated products, primarily for aerospace applications.

What Happened

What was the cause of this fire?

We are not certain at this point. An investigation into the cause of the incident is in process.

Were there any injuries among employees?

No. Thankfully, our employees working at the time of the fire are safe and well – this is a testament to the plant leadership team’s commitment to safety and their partnership with local first responders. We truly appreciate the efforts of the emergency services and first responders, who ensured that every person at the plant was safely evacuated as they safely addressed the fire.

Why was the sprinkler system inoperable?

The fire suppression system was under repair due to a ruptured water main. SPS promptly notified the fire department and other relevant parties after learning of the water main break. Upon approval of the fire marshall, SPS had implemented alternate fire prevention protocols (e.g., fire watches and ceasing “hot work”) pending completion of the repair.

What chemicals may have been released during the fire?

Fortunately, the main storage area for chemicals was not impacted and the bulk chemicals from those areas were removed from the site on February 21, 2025, by environmental response experts. For information on chemicals used in processing operations, please visit the “SPS Process Overview” section.

Community Safety

Are you still monitoring for air and water safety?

SPS has been monitoring both air and surface water in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Philadelphia Water Department. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Philadelphia Water Department has determined that drinking water supplies are fine to consume and air monitoring has shown no chemical detections that would represent a public health risk.

SPS currently has ten (10) air monitors – with seven (7) around the perimeter of the facility and the remainder in the nearby communities.

SPS continues to sample permitted outflows during qualifying rain events.

Was anyone nearby exposed to toxic chemicals during or after the fire?

Air monitoring has shown no chemical detections that would represent a public health risk.

Has there been any clean-up in the neighborhoods?

SPS has conducted extensive debris removal from yards and roofs/gutters.

Future of Plant/Employees

Do you plan on rebuilding the plant?

We are assessing the situation and expect to make a determination in the coming months.

Are you still paying employees and providing health coverage?

We announced on March 14, 2025 that approximately 250 employees, or approximately half of the total team, would separate from SPS Technologies after May 18th. We continued to pay employees through May 18, 2025 and provided benefits through May 31, 2025. Direct employees of SPS Technologies, LLC in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania (the “Company”) who are laid off on Sunday, May 18, 2025, were offered a separation pay package in a Separation Agreement and Release.

The separation pay package offered included:

• one week of pay per year of service (minimum of 2 weeks, maximum of 26 weeks); and
• one month of COBRA premium reimbursement for medical and dental benefits, if enrolled. The COBRA premium reimbursement will be grossed up for taxes.