Woodgrain selling Island City facility to Kronospan

By on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

ISLAND CITY — Woodgrain has sold its Island City particleboard plant to Kronospan, a leading producer of wood panel products.

According to a press release from Kronospan, the addition of the Island City plant will strengthen Kronospanโ€™s position in the North American wood panel market and further demonstrates Kronospanโ€™s commitment to its overall growth strategy.

Elkhorn Media Group has reached out to Woodgrain officials in Island City for more information.

โ€œIโ€™m very excited about todayโ€™s announcement. The addition of the Island City plant and its talented team will further enhance our ability to serve our customers and provide long term benefit to our stakeholdersโ€ said Hans Obermaier, CEO of Kronospanโ€™s North American operations.

Kelly Dame, President and CEO of Woodgrain stated, โ€œIt was important for us to find a buyer that is a good fit for our 124 team members, and one that will continue to invest in the plant and its peopleโ€

Kronospan has expressed its intent to invest in the modernization of the Island City plant upon completion of the post-acquisition period.

According to the release, Kronospan began operations in 1897 as a sawmill in Lungรถtz, Austria. A privately held, family owned company, Kronospan employs about 14,000 people and operates wood-based panel production facilities worldwide. In the U.S., Kronospan currently operates three manufacturing locations in Alabama, Louisiana and Pennsylvania.