News: Spencer (Artcraft Homes Close 1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Davis

---Source: Marshfield News-Herald (31 August 1983)

SPENCER - Artcraft Homes, a facility of Wick Building Systems Inc., located in Spencer, will be closing at the end of the week.

"We expect to complete production at the plant this week." said Warren Davis, vice president and division manager of Wick Building Systems.

Davis said that the company plans to consolidate its production in the two plants in Marshfield. The closing of Spencer's two production plants means that some of the 115 employees there will lose their jobs.

Wick Building systems plans to employ about 30 of its Spencer workers at the Marshfield plant, Davis said, but the number will be based on incoming orders and a steady market.

Davis added that about two-thirds of the office and administrative staff will be moved to Marshfield.

The company constructs both single and double-wide mobile homes, but because of the total market vs. plant capacity, decided to consolidate its operations, Davis said.

"We don't see the market returning in this sector of the country that will require two plants at each location," Davis said.

Artcraft Homes was started in 1965, when the Wick Building Systems purchased Spencer Sports and Trail Blazer.