Goodman Veneer and Lumber Operation in Goodman, WI, Abruptly Closes

Employees at the Goodman Veneer and Lumber operation in Goodman, Wisconsin, have received notice of the mill’s closure, affecting 48 workers, The Daily News reported (8-3-24). In a statement, the company said the closure is “due to an unprecedented industry downturn.”

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development was told Thursday of the plant’s anticipated permanent closure, which took effect Friday.

The announcement from Besse Forest Products Group comes five months after Besse was acquired by the Naples, Florida-based Hoffmann Family of Companies private equity firm. When Besse was acquired by Hoffmann Family in March, it was reported the Michigan-based wood manufacturer had ten facilities across northern Michigan and Wisconsin. Also closing are Wisconsin Veneer and Plywood in Mattoon, with 42 jobs lost, and Birchwood Manufacturing in Rice Lake, with 46 jobs lost.

“After exploring restructuring alternatives, we have determined that Goodman Veneer and Lumber will cease operations,” said Timothy Turek, Besse chief restructuring officer, according to The Daily News. Besse has determined “the revenues of the company will no longer support its operations,” he said.

The Goodman sawmill dates to 1909, built shortly after the town was founded by Goodman Lumber Co.