From staff reports

NORTHWOOD, Iowa – A wood product plant in Northwood, Iowa, was closed down Thursday leaving 40 employees laid off with no notice.

Sunday, October 28, 2001

NORTHWOOD, Iowa – A wood product plant in Northwood, Iowa, was closed down Thursday leaving 40 employees laid off with no notice.

Partridge River Inc., the parent company located in Superior, Wis., issued a statement Friday saying it would discontinue the operation in its Northwood plant. The company explained that the move was due to the unexpected loss of its major customer.

The Northwood plant produced wood cabinet doors.

According to the company, 40 employees were laid off, and told to file for unemployment benefits. Paychecks were issued for hours worked and remaining vacation, but employees received no severance packages.

Future plans for the facility are unknown, officials said.

The announcement came just months after the company unveiled expansion plans and intentions of adding another 60 employees. Ads for the new jobs offered $200 hiring bonuses and $250 referral bonuses to plant employees.

The plant, housed in the facility vacated by Fieldstone Company in 1999, makes custom cabinetry for some of the nation’s largest retailers like Home Depot.

Northwood city representatives could not be reached for comment on the closing.