MARION, NC – Blue Ridge Wood Products has retained Equity Partners Inc. to obtain sources of additional equity or to sell its sawmill.

Blue Ridge, founded in 2002, operates a 32,000-square-foot mill, with a capacity to produce 30 million board feet annually. The company manufactures and distributes lumber and associated wood products.

Jeff Benfield, president of Blue Ridge, said, “Due to the decline in the economy and housing market specifically, the company was forced to file Chapter 11 protection in July. “ Benfield added, “Customers call daily to inquire as to when they will be able to resume business with the company.”

Blue Ridge management remains hopeful that the ultimate buyer of the business will want to resume operations. The mill employed about 50 people.