MYNORTHWEST NEWS

No fun at Funko as move from Everett goes south

Jun 8, 2023, 11:11 AM | Updated: 11:15 am

Funko headquarters...

Funko headquarters in downtown Everett. (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Everett took a big hit when Funko moved a large part of its operations to Arizona. Now, the bobblehead company faces a class action lawsuit from its investors.

The suit alleged that the company failed to tell investors that it was experiencing significant delays in the rollout of a new software program, critical “to the efficient operation of its new distribution center,” according to court documents obtained by The Everett Herald. The stock price fell by 18%.

In fact, one investor described the move from Everett to Arizona as “disastrous.”

How a four-foot-tall Batman statue ended up with the Everett Police Department

The suit was filed in U.S. District Court last Friday. It said that the delay in software “would lead to dramatically higher costs and poorer inventory management practices,” resulting in “a substantial, undisclosed impact on Funko’s earnings” and “dramatically lower profit margins.” The suit claims that Funko did not adequately warn investors.

The lawsuit said Funko “repeatedly spoke of the necessity for these upgrades to serve current and future business needs. However, these statements were materially false and misleading or failed to disclose material information necessary to make these statements not misleading.”

When Funko took its toys and left town, it also left 250 workers behind.

Seattle MLB All-Star Game ‘Clean-up’ not without controversy

The company said suburban Phoenix had a “more strategic” location and a strong talent pool.

Funko is known for its small, vinyl pop culture figures, board games, action toys, and accessories. The toymaker debuted its signature Pop! line of vinyl figures in 2010.

The company did not respond to requests for comment.

MyNorthwest News

shooting bullets south seattle neighborhood...

Brandon Thompson, KIRO 7 News

For this South Seattle Neighborhood, it’s not the first time their homes have been hit by bullets

A South Seattle neighborhood is once again dealing with the aftermath of gunfire after a shootout left multiple homes and vehicles damaged Tuesday night.

18 hours ago

tulalip tribes sonics...

Ranji Sinha, KIRO 7 News

Tulalip Tribes in talks to bid for Sonics return to Washington

The Tulalip Tribes confirmed it’s in discussions about joining a bid to bring the Sonics back to Washington, but with a stadium potentially in Marysville.

18 hours ago

federal way...

MyNorthwest Staff

‘You knew what you were selling’: Federal Way man sentenced to 9 years in fentanyl conspiracy

A 22-year-old Federal Way man was sentenced Thursday to nine years in prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute mass amounts of fentanyl.

1 day ago

wild waves amusement park season...

Aaron Granillo

Last splash: Wild Waves closing for good after 50 years

It's the last splash at Wild Waves in Federal Way.

1 day ago

kent rape kidnapping fentanyl...

Frank Lenzi

Kent man wanted for rape, kidnapping arrested in drug bust

A Kent man wanted for rape and kidnapping in King County was arrested Sept. 2.

1 day ago

Seattle mayor katie wilson...

KIRO Newsradio staff

‘S*** happens’: Seattle mayor’s office texts reveal scramble over optics, officials brushing off inaccurate information after Bite of Seattle shooting

Internal text messages released from Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's office show staff debating whether the mayor should appear.

1 day ago

No fun at Funko as move from Everett goes south