FRUITLAND, Idaho — Woodgrain Inc. has won a legal challenge by Jeld-Wen that objected to Woodgrain's ownership of the Towanda, Pennsylvania, manufacturing facility. Jeld-Wen's appeal has been formally dropped, securing Woodgrain’s full and undisputed ownership of the operation.

The suit, filed in February 2025 by Jeld-Wen challenging Woodgrain’s January 2025, $115 million acquisition of the Towanda facility, was dismissed prior to a court decision, bringing the matter to a close and removing any remaining uncertainty surrounding the transaction.

“This is outstanding news for Woodgrain,” said Todd Dame, CEO and president of Woodgrain. “With the appeal resolved, we can move forward with complete confidence—focused on continuing our substantial investments in the Towanda operation, supporting our associates, and continuing to serve our customers at the highest level.”

The resolution of the appeal finalizes the divestiture and confirms Woodgrain’s long-term ownership of the Towanda facility, reinforcing the company’s strategic position in the market and allowing leadership teams to fully focus on growth, operational excellence, and customer partnership.

The Towanda plant manufactures molded interior door skins, as well as MiraTEC exterior trim and Extira panels.

“We’re grateful to the Towanda team for their patience and believing in what we’re building at Woodgrain,” commented Brooks Dame, Vice President of Woodgrain’s Door Division. “This milestone allows us to move forward together with clarity and momentum.”

Decades-long battle

On Dec. 16, 2024, a years-long fight for ownership of the plant was thought to be over. Woodgrain announced that it had entered into an asset purchase agreement with Jeld-Wen Holding, Inc. for the sale of the Towanda plant to Woodgrain. Woodgrain previously held an ownership position in the Towanda facility from 2002-2012.

A month later, in January 2025, the deal was completed and then a month later, in February, Jeld-Wen filed suit once again challenging the court-ordered divestiture of the Towanda business and related assets.  

“The Towanda plant is a strategic acquisition for Woodgrain," said Kelly Dame, CEO and President of Woodgrain in a press release distributed at the time. "The addition of molded door skin and exterior trim manufacturing fits perfectly within our business model and growth plan. Towanda has a great customer base whom we know well, and we look forward to continuing to service and grow share with existing customers.”

In 2018, Jeld-Wen was ordered to divest the Towanda doorskin facility following an antitrust lawsuit brought in 2016 by Steves & Sons. Jeld-Wen acquired the interior moulded doorskin and door facility as part of its 2012 acquisition of CMI (CraftMaster Inc.).

A Dec. 14, 2018, final judgement by Judge Robert Payne, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, held that Jeld-Wen violated federal antitrust laws, specifically the Clayton Act, by reducing competition through the acquisition.  The ruling required Jeld-Wen to divest the Towanda facility to a third party, and gives both companies, Jeld-Wen and Steves, the option to purchase doorskins from the to-be-determined company.