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Media reports: Businessman to buy Wood-Mode

KREAMER — The Wood-Mode plant in Snyder County that was closed suddenly last month may soon reopen under new management, according to media reports.

The (Sunbury) Daily Item and WKOK-AM are both reporting that William French, owner and president of Professional Building Systems Inc., has a preliminary deal in place to purchase the Wood-Mode buildings, name and the Wood-Metal property in Selinsgrove. The reports indicate the deal is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

“This last month and a half has been a very difficult time for the families affected by the sudden closure of Wood-Mode,” Joe Kantz, the chairman of the Snyder County Commissioners told The Sentinel Friday. “While many questions remain unanswered, a glimmer of hope appears as far as the possibility of another businessman taking over. I hope and pray everything works out for the buyer of the company but I also hope those former Wood-Mode employees continue to look for the opportunity that best suits their needs and I wish each of them success.”

French founded Professional Building Systems 19 years ago in Middleburg. The business is a modular manufacturer that produces more than 1,000 living units per year.

Wood-Mode, founded in 1942 as Wood-Metal Industries by four former salesmen including T.O. Gronlund, was operated by members of that family until its closure was announced last month, putting close to 1,000 employees out of work.

The company closed suddenly at the end of the business day May 13 without notice as required in most cases by the federal WARN Act, and top officials Robert and Brooks Gronlund have been silent since the closing. Company spokesman David Scarr said when the plant was closed last month that a sale explored by the Gronlunds had fallen through and that the company was unable to receive operating capital to continue.

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