Gathr Outdoors announced plans to permanently close its Pride Manufacturing production and support facilities in Maine, according to a release sent to IEN by attorney Peter Bennett. A WARN Notice showed the shutdown at the factory, which makes Lincoln Logs, cigar tips and golf tees, will eliminate 115 jobs.
The release stated that the closure results from a "significant shift in customer demand” that rendered the facility "economically unsustainable.” The Portland Press Herald reported that Pride paid roughly $200,000 in annual taxes, primarily driven by property and equipment, according to Burnham Select Board member Rick Basford.
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The facility’s owner, Centre Partners Management, told IEN that the impending closure stems from a cigar maker moving its sourcing for cigar tips. The firm did not disclose the customer's name.
"After our largest customer made the decision to relocate their sourcing, our highest volume product, the facility became financially unviable," Centre Partners stated. "While this is not the outcome Pride Manufacturing or Centre Partners wanted, this customer’s change in position is forcing the closure of this operation.”
Jay Foreman, the president and CEO of Lincoln Log producer Basic Fun, told the New York Post that the Hasbro-owned toy will need a new home after the Maine facility closes. He added that production will likely move overseas, potentially leading to a 10% price increase. The Press Herald reported that Foreman attributed the shutdown to consumer reactions to rising prices influenced by tariffs.
Founded in Tampa, Florida, Pride started making wooden mouthpieces for cigars in 1930. Operations moved to Maine in 1956 to be closer to a wood source for its cigar tips. The facility added golf tees to its operations after the move and, in 2014, began producing Lincoln Logs as part of a move that relocated some production from China.
Centre Partners’ portfolio company Medalist Corp. acquired Pride in 2015.
Pride Manufacturing, Basic Fun and Centre Partners have not responded to IEN’s request for comment.
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