Pride Manufacturing, a long-standing company in Burnham, Maine, has announced its closure in April, resulting in the loss of 115 jobs. The decision comes after the company's largest customer relocated its sourcing for wooden cigar tips, the firm's highest-volume product, rendering the facility financially unviable.
Key Takeaways
- Pride Manufacturing, a significant employer in Maine for decades, is shutting down.
- The closure is directly attributed to the loss of its primary contract for manufacturing wooden cigar tips.
- The company also produced golf tees and the popular children's toy, Lincoln Logs.
- The toymaker for Lincoln Logs is actively seeking a new manufacturer.
A Legacy of Woodcraft
For over 60 years, Pride Manufacturing was a global leader in producing wooden cigar tips. In addition to this core product, the company also manufactured millions of golf tees annually from white and yellow birch. However, its most internationally recognized product was the classic children's toy, Lincoln Logs.
The company's roots trace back to Florida in 1930, before relocating to Maine in 1956 to be closer to its wood supply. Over the years, it expanded its product line to include golf tees and, more recently, the iconic Lincoln Logs.
Impact on Lincoln Logs Production
The closure of Pride Manufacturing has created an immediate challenge for Basic Fun, the toymaker responsible for Lincoln Logs. Jay Foreman, CEO of Basic Fun, expressed urgency in finding a new domestic vendor capable of manufacturing custom wood parts. The company is exploring options to purchase the factory or its equipment, though they are not optimistic about securing a new manufacturer for the current year.
Lincoln Logs, a toy with a history spanning 110 years, were originally created by the son of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The sudden halt in production raises concerns about the future availability of this beloved toy.