WSAW TV in Wausau, Wisconsin, tells MHProNews that Dorchester-based Liberty Homes, which designed and produced manufactured homes, ceased operations in 2013 as a result of the downturn in the housing industry. Now the company’s assets have been purchased by CanAm, which plans to reopen two plants that include more than 230,000 feet of space to produce manufactured and modular homes.
“Canadian American Homes wants to re-establish the Dorchester facilities as one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of factory-built homes,” Alan Emery, president of CanAm, explained. “Demand is continuing to increase in the manufactured and modular home industry, and we believe CanAm will be a key player in this industry.”
To assist with the purchase, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is providing a low-interest loan as part of its Business Opportunity Loan Program.
“CanAm’s acquisition of Liberty Homes will have a significant impact on Clark County and the region as it brings much-needed jobs to the community, and WEDC is pleased to play a role in the project,” announced Reed Hall, secretary and CEO of WEDC, the state’s leading economic development organization.
Canadian American is a new company started in December by Gordon Renn, who owns Fox Converting Co. in Green Bay, said Mark Maley, a WEDC spokesman in Madison.
Renn plans to invest $5.7 million for renovations, equipment and other things to get the Dorchester plant back in operation, and the state loan is part of that project, Maley said.
Canadian American says the jobs will include production, supervision, administration and management.
Prior to closing the Dorchester plants in 2013, Liberty Homes had been in operation since 1941, and at one point operated nine plants in six states. ##
(Photo Credit: Liberty Homes)
Article submitted by Sandra Lane to – Daily Business News – MHProNews.
