WICHITA FALLS, Texas — The Wichita County Constable’s Office will be auctioning property it seized last week at the former Washex Inc. plant in the next 45 days to satisfy a court-ordered warrant for unpaid taxes, says Wichita County Constable Mark Brewer.
The warrant issued on behalf of the City of Wichita Falls, the Burkburnett Independent School District, and Wichita County seeks payment of Washex’s delinquent 2008 taxes and 2009 taxes exceeding $130,000, according to reports.
The longtime manufacturer of automated laundry-processing systems and computerized data-management systems abruptly closed the plant and laid off the remaining employees in late September. The company has offered no explanation, but there had been published reports of sagging sales, other layoffs, and claims by ex-employees seeking unpaid wages.
Brewer served the tax warrant last Monday and padlocked the facility. He anticipates selling several completed washers and dryers, as well as spare parts. He promises to supply American Laundry News with a complete inventory prior to the sale, which is not yet scheduled. It’s possible that some equipment there is under lease and will not be sold, he explains.
Brewer says that once the auction is scheduled, anyone interested in bidding may contact him for rules. It will be possible to submit bids without attending the auction in person. He asks that there be no calls until the inventory is completed.
On Nov. 24, Brewer and his deputies seized about $20,000 worth of machines, tools and stainless steel from Washex in order to pay two judgments against the company. Those items were auctioned off Monday.
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