ARCADIA, Wis.— Ashley Furniture, the largest employer in Arcadia, remained mum on details regarding a workplace death Wednesday at its plant. Also, local authorities clammed up. In reporting the company’s recalcitrance in releasing information about the latest death, even the employee’s name, the LaCrosse Tribune noted that Ashley has had safety problems in Arcadia in the past. In 2016, the Tribune reported, Ashley agreed to pay $1.7 million in penalties and to improve workplace safety. The U.S. Department of Labor levied the penalties after concluding that more than 1,000 workers at Arcadia suffered work-related injuries in the previous 3-1/2 years that were severe enough to require medical treatment beyond first aid. Ashley officials disputed the findings before agreeing to the settlement. About current practices, Ashley said Thursday in a prepared statement that it has “robust safety procedures as well as regular safety training in place. across all facilities.”
Ashley profile
Ashley is the fifth largest furniture manufacturer in the United States. Ashley maintains manufacturing facilities in Arcadia and nearby Whitehall and Independence. The company also has plants in Mississippi. There are warehouses and distribution centers in California, Florida and New Jersey. The company manufactures approximately two-thirds of its products in the United States. The rest come from Asia. Sales are largely through franchises under the brand name Ashley Home Store. The company has been in the Wanek family since 1970. Privately held, Ashley releases minimal information on its finances and internal matters.