Thornwood Furniture Manufacturing Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, as has its affiliated company Albacore Holdings LLC.

In filing Chapter 11 with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Arizona, Thornwood's majority owner Craig Thorn noted that the company has approximately 250 full- and part-time employees. Thorn indicated in the declaration that he signed and filed that the company wants to continue manufacturing as it attempts to reorganize.

"It is necessary that the Debtors be authorized to pay Employees to prevent irreparable harm to the Debtors' abiltiy to reorganize," Thorn stated in his declaration. "Without the Employees, the Debtors cannot manufacture goods and will be unable to meet their obligations to their customers to produce high-quality products and to deliver them on a timely basis. An overwhelming majority of the Employees are highly skilled in the operation of heavy machinery and equipment or have critical knowledge of the Debtors' industry and business practices."

Founded in 1987, Thornwood operates an approximately 500,000-square-foot facility. The company makes casual and contemporary furniture, including bedroom, home office and home entertainment furniture.