Wood-Mode Abruptly Shuts Down Operations

Cabinetmaker Wood-Mode abruptly shut its doors in Kreamer, Penn. in May, leaving nearly 1,000 employees without work and its expansive dealer network without product.

Kitchen and Bath Design News reports that the closure, which occurred on May 14, came as efforts to secure a sale of the company suddenly fell through and Wood-Mode’s lender ceased financial support. The company’s 938 employees were surprised when the company closed without warning, and were told that their health and life insurance, plus a 401(k) plan, had been terminated.

“We’ve all gone through various stages of something similar to grieving a death, from sadness and sorrow to anger and many (emotions) in between,” wrote Annette and Brian Wilson, administrators of the “Wood-Mode Friends” Facebook page.

Now, weeks after the closure, PennLive reports that at least 12 potential buyers have inquired about purchasing the company, due to the efforts of an action team put together by Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf. However, the cabinet maker appears to be moving towards bankruptcy, which could extend the reopening process for several years.