Peach County Ford Changes Hands, Employees Jobless

BYRON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Peach County Ford changed hands, and that means about 30 employees are jobless.

On Wednesday morning the lot full with trucks and cars looked ready for business, but Peach County Ford wasn’t open.

According to two employees, who didn’t want their names released, on Monday afternoon a majority of the staff was told to find new jobs, because the dealership was changing hands.

The new owner, Brannen Motor Company, told employees they were closing down temporarily and they wouldn’t say which employees would be brought back.

Both employees said they heard rumors of financial troubles but nobody gave them any warning their jobs were at risk.

The Secretary of State’s website shows that business was registered in June 2006 to Michael Paull and John Prickett.

41NBC couldn’t reach the former owners. We spoke with the former controller who wouldn’t comment on the financial status of Peach County Ford.

The new owner, Phil Brannen, spoke with 41NBC over the phone.

Brannen said he didn’t know about any financial troubles the previous owners had. His company, the Brannen Motor Company, saw the business was for sale and bought it.

Brannen says they’re doing a lot of work on the facility, and that means for now, business is halted.

Employees also say they’re waiting on their last pay-check which is due to them this Thursday.

Brannen says that’s being handled by the former owners. He says his company is excited to move back into Peach County. He called it a great place to do business.