NEWPORT, ME – Vic Firth announced today that the company has reached agreement for the sale of its gourmet line of high-end pepper mills and rolling pins with Maine Wood Concepts, a second-generation, family-owned business located in New Vineyard,ME.

Vic said, “We couldn’t be more delighted to be selling this business to the Fletchers. They have been very successful at Maine Wood Concepts, and we have the highest respect for the way they manage and operate their business. This move will help provide ongoing employment for Maine people and help support the local and state economies.”

According to Doug Fletcher, President, “The acquisition of the gourmet line is a perfect fit and will create up to 20 additional jobs at the New Vineyard location. He went on to say, “We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to bring this well known and well established “Made in Maine Gourmet Line” into our company. Although the turning and molding business has definitely improved for us over the past couple of years, our sawmill and finishing departments have remained under-utilized. This acquisition will utilize those areas in a significant way. In addition, this acquisition launches us into a new line of work. There will be some challenges in our turning and molding areas. Consequently we’re now in the process of getting quotes for expansion of our manufacturing facilities.”

Vic Firth Gourmet has built an excellent reputation for very high quality products including a wide array of salt and pepper mills, rolling pins, and muddlers. Vic Firth is also the world's largest manufacturer of drumsticks, also manufactured in Newport, Maine. The Company recently decided to sell its gourmet line to focus on its core drumstick business.

The sale of the gourmet line includes all equipment, inventory, intellectual property, and customer lists associated with that portion of the business. It is anticipated that Maine Wood Concepts will continue to manufacture most of the products currently made by Vic Firth Gourmet.

Since 1971, family-owned Maine Wood Concepts has been manufacturing custom woodturnings and moldings such as wooden nickels, craft items, toy parts, wooden knobs, handles, and many various industrial wood components from Maine hardwoods.

The company’s clients are businesses that resell or use the products in the creation of other items. In early 2005, they acquired Cincinnati-based Lutz File & Tool Co., a file handle company that has been in business since 1904. Later in 2005, they purchased the custom manufacturing division of Pride Mfg. Company located in Guilford, ME.

Both companies have since been merged into one of two Maine Wood Concepts facilities, both located in New Vineyard. Prior to the Vic Firth acquisition, the company employed approximately 80 workers at its New Vineyard locations.