GLADSTONE , Mich. — Eight months after being acquired by an equity firm, Besse Forest Products Group, a long-time distributor of Northern hardwood veneer, lumber, and specialty plywood manufacturing, has officially closed six of its green lumber sawmills and veneer mills in Wisconsin and Michigan and the assets from these facilities are now up for sale.
In March 2024, the Hoffmann Family of Companies (HFOC), a family-owned private equity firm, acquired Besse Forest Products Group for an undisclosed sum. At the time, the company called the purchase a "strategic move" that added to HFOC’s portfolio, complementing its existing Ferche Millwork operations. "With more than 2 million square feet of production facilities and a workforce of more than 1,400 people, the combined strength of Besse and Ferche positions HFOC as a significant player in the wood products manufacturing industry," the company said.
Commenting in March, Geoff Hoffmann, Co-CEO of HFOC said “With the acquisition of Besse Forest Products Group, we’re not just expanding our footprint but building on a legacy that spans generations.” While his counterpart at Besse, Greg Besse, CEO and Owner of Besse Forest Products Group, added “We believe this partnership will not only modernize our operations but also ensure that our legacy continues to thrive."
In August, the company said that it was closing three mills, and on Oct. 2 the company officially closed six of its green lumber sawmills and veneer mills.
The operations, which span facilities in Northern Wisconsin and Michigan, were integral to the production of materials used worldwide in cabinets, flooring, and furniture. The large-scale, fully operational sawmills and veneer mills, are at auction until the end of October, when the turnkey sale will conclude.
The real estate at four Wisconsin sites (Ladysmith, Goodman, Mattoon, and Rice Lake) is owned by Besse and will be included in the sale, while the facilities in Gladstone and Baraga, Michigan, are leased. If no buyers secure the entire operation by October 31, the assets will be sold off in pieces starting in November. Turnkey buyers can submit bids on single, multiple, or all facilities.
Bob Pabst, president of auction house HyperAMS, emphasized the potential significance of the sale. “Besse Forest Products Group was a major player in wood products, and this sale represents a rare opportunity for an operator to increase their footprint with ready-to-run facilities,” he said.
Colin Murphy, president of James G. Murphy Co., which is co-managing the sale, added that the offering is expected to generate significant interest from those looking to expand into the forest products industry. “This could be a last-chance opportunity for buyers seeking a comprehensive acquisition of fully functioning facilities,” he noted.
Inspections of the properties and equipment are available by appointment throughout October. Prospective buyers should reach out to HyperAMS' Senior Director of Auction Services, Steve Kleba, at 815-451-3451 for further details or to schedule a visit.
Interested buyers are encouraged to visit the following links for more information on the assets available and the bidding process:
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