Pride plant to close Sept. 15 in Guilford

GUILFORD – Pride Manufacturing Co. officials advised their employees and local and state officials on Tuesday that the Guilford plant would close on Sept. 15.

Bob Burr, vice president of marketing and sales, who was contacted late Tuesday evening, said a press release about the closing would be released today. He declined to offer any further information until then.

Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville, said Tuesday evening that Burr had called him regarding the closing. Davis said he passed the information on to Gov. John Baldacci and other state officials.

Burr reportedly told Davis that the wood-turning business has not been profitable. The machine shop, however, will remain open.

“I think it’s terrible,” Davis said. “I feel very badly for the 60 employees. It’s a good segment of our population here. It’s just another nail in our economic coffin.”

Guilford Town Manager Tom Goulette, who also was contacted by Burr, said he was told that the company would try to sell the property.

“Obviously, we’ll hold on to hope that some outfit comes along that can use that facility for a good purpose,” he said.

Goulette estimated that about 25 of the 60 employees were Guilford residents, some of whom have worked for the company for more than 25 years. “They all shop, work, spend money and use the services of this area, so it’s certainly going to be a big blow.”

He said the town also would lose a considerable amount of taxes after this year from the closing.

“It’s going to be tough, but we’re resilient,” Goulette said. “We won’t let go of hope, and we’ll keep praying for the best.”