Bryant Roofing Closes, Lays Off 1,300 Employees

Bryant Universal Roofing Inc., a Phoenix-based roofing contractor with an office in Anaheim, has closed and laid off its entire work force of 1,300 in a three-state region.

Employees said they were told by management on Friday that the firm could not meet its payroll. The company had a debt of about $15 million to $16 million at the time of the closing, employees were told. Jim Constance, chief executive of Bryant, could not be reached for comment.

Bryant also had California offices in Palm Desert, Oakland, Sacramento and San Diego as well as offices in Las Vegas and Reno.