Pride Manufacturing Acquires New Hampshire Wood Turning Company – Moves Operation To Maine

Furniture World Magazine

Pride Manufacturing Company, a leading manufacturer of hardwood turnings and the world's largest producer of golf tees, recently announced an agreement to purchase Allen-Rogers Limited (Laconia, New Hampshire) a wood products manufacturer with complementary products and markets. The companies plan to finalize the sale by August 1999 when Pride will move the operations to Guilford, Maine. Commenting on the acquisition was Randy Ellis, President of Pride: "This acquisition is a great opportunity for our company, employees and customers. It means a broader product mix, with the addition of large size turnings up to 3 inches in diameter and 29 inches in length, and improved manufacturing efficiencies with the new capacity." Mr. Ellis added, "The acquisition will increase our market share in turnings and solidify our leadership position in the golf industry." "Pride will offer one of the most comprehensive lines of turnings in the industry, with more than 4,000 different sizes, shapes and styles in addition to custom capabilities," explained Bob Burr, Pride's Director of Marketing and Sales. New products include large diameter furniture drawer knobs, candlesticks, custom-molded shapes, cubes and wooden nickels. There will be significant opportunities to market new product lines and serve as the principal supplier to an expanded customer base. "We want to assure both Pride and Allen-Rogers customers that every measure is being take to ensure that orders will be processed quickly and delivered on schedule during the transition," continued Mr. Burr. A team of manufacturing and sales people from both companies is currently working on operational and customer needs. Customers who have questions should call Dave Johnson, Product Manager at 207-876-3315 or e-mail the company through its website: www.pridemanufacturing.com. Both Pride and Allen-Rogers are long time industry leaders with deep roots in New England's wood products manufacturing industry. Founded in 1930, Pride is a fourth-generation, family-owned business that operates two state-of-the-art sawmills and four manufacturing plants in Maine, Wisconsin and Florida. The company sells its products worldwide through a distribution network that services the furniture, toy and craft/hobby and golf industries.