SPS Technologies‘ massive fire earlier this month leaves an uncertain future for the Abington industrial pillar, writes Beatrice Forman and Jeese Bunch for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The four-alarm blaze raged for five days, prompting school closures, a voluntary evacuation order, and the eventual demolition of parts of the factory. Initial concerns over hazardous chemical exposure were alleviated after air and water tests by the EPA and Pennsylvania DEP found no contamination. However, questions remain about the company’s safety protocols and environmental impact.

Once a thriving employer with deep community ties, SPS has seen significant workforce reductions following multiple acquisitions. At its peak, it provided stable, well-paying jobs that spanned generations. Employees taking pride in producing critical components for Black Hawk helicopters, F-15 jets, and NASA spacecraft.

Now, with operations at a standstill, SPS employees face uncertainty. Pay and benefits have been extended through March as the company assesses its next steps. U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean has called for SPS to rebuild a “modern, clean, efficient” plant, but concerns over regulatory compliance and environmental impact loom large.

As the community reflects on SPS’s storied past, the company’s future remains uncertain. Will the company restore its legacy, or will the fire mark the end of an era?

Read more about SPS Technologies in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on MONTCO Today in March 2025.