EMPORIA (KSNT) – More than 200 workers in Kansas are losing theirs jobs as part of nationwide layoffs impacting a major manufacturing company.
KANSASWORKS posted two Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notifications (WARN) on Feb. 23 for layoffs impacting two manufacturing facilities in Kansas in the cities of Edgerton and Emporia. The layoffs are for two different sites under the brand Hopkins or First Brands Group, LLC.
- Emporia facility
- 428 Peyton St.
- Employees impacted – 130
- Edgerton facility
- West 185th St.
- Employees impacted – 81
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Statement from First Brands Group, LLC
Letters submitted by First Brands Group, LLC to the Kansas Department of Commerce show that both the Edgerton and Emporia facilities will be shutting down completely. The Emporia facility’s closure had an effective date of Feb. 23 with 12 of the 130 staff members to be retained beyond this date and terminated on April 30 this year. The Edgerton facility’s effective closure date is also listed as Feb. 23 with nine employees being retained until April 30 before they are also terminated.
First Brands Group, LLC spent months trying to find potential buyers for the Hopkins facilities in Kansas and retain the workforces at both locations, per the letters sent to the KDC. While the company did locate a potential buyer, this bidder “suddenly and unexpectedly” withdrew its bid. First Brands Group, LLC said it provided notice of the closures as soon as it was practicable to do so. Bumping rights are not applicable with these facility closures.
“The sudden cessation of the sale process was unfortunately an unforeseeable event that has led to today’s closure decision and the abbreviated timeline for closure. Given the urgency and seriousness with which the Company and the potential purchaser approached the sale process and the fact that the parties had been actively negotiating a purchase agreement, the sudden withdrawal of the bid was unexpected and not reasonably foreseeable.”
First Brands Group, LLC letter excerpt
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Indictment
Prosecutors in the U.S. District Court based out of the Southern District of New York filed an indictment in early 2026 against two brothers, Patrick James and Edward James, for allegedly building and bankrupting First Brands Group, LLC. Federal prosecutors accuse the two men of fraudulently obtaining billions of dollars from lenders and enriching themselves.
First Brands filed for bankruptcy in in the fall of 2025, prompting lenders and creditors to potentially face billions of dollars in losses, according to the indictment. Patrick James founded the company in 2013 and served as its CEO while Edward James served as the company’s senior vice president. Patrick James allegedly grew the company by purchasing other automotive-parts businesses across the country leading up to the bankruptcy filing.
Local response
Christine Torrens with the City of Emporia told 27 News the city’s Rapid Response team is meeting this week to discuss ways to help support employees impacted by the layoffs. The Rapid Response team was formed following the 2024 layoffs impacting Emporia’s former Tyson food plant. More than 800 workers in Emporia lost their jobs as a result of the Tyson plant closure.
KANSASWORKS, alongside partners with Workforce Partnership and Kansas WorkforceOne, are available to help workers impacted by the layoffs with searching for a new job, training opportunities and unemployment information. Former Hopkins workers are encouraged to visit their nearest workforce center or call 877-509-6757 for help.
Robin Emley with the Emporia Regional Development Association said people impacted by the layoffs can visit the KANSASWORKS Workforce Center at 215 West Sixth Ave., Suite 107 in Emporia for assistance. People can call this center at 620-342-3355.
“Community leaders and stakeholders from the City of Emporia, Lyon County, and several key organizations are working together in response to the announced closure of Hopkins Manufacturing. Representatives will be meeting later this week to coordinate efforts to support affected workers and their families. These meetings will continue regularly as the situation evolves.
The immediate focus is on connecting affected employees with local job opportunities and training programs. The Emporia community has faced challenges before and demonstrated strength and resilience each time. With the collaborative efforts of local organizations and support from residents, we are confident in our ability to overcome this challenge and emerge stronger.”
Robin Emley statement
Hopkins was formed in Emporia in 1953, producing auto body repair tools, according to the company’s website. It later transitioned to a consumer products company and has become a major developer and manufacturer of winter snow and ice tools.
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