Vic Firth Sells Gourmet Division to Maine Wood Concepts

Vic Firth Inc. announced the sale of its Vic Firth Gourmet division based in Newport, Maine, to Maine Wood Concepts, a family-owned business based in New Vineyard, Maine.

Maine Wood Concepts acquired Vic Firth Gourmet, which makes a variety of salt and pepper mills, rolling pins, and other kitchen items.

“The acquisition of the gourmet line is a perfect fit and will create up to 20 additional jobs at the New Vineyard location,” Doug Fletcher, president of Maine Wood Concepts, said in a prepared release, according to the Bangor Daily News. “We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to bring this well-known and well-established ‘Made in Maine’ gourmet line into our company.”

Maine Wood Concepts said in its press release the company anticipated it will “continue to manufacture most of the products currently made by Vic Firth Gourmet.”

Vic Firth decided to sell its gourmet line to focus on the drumstick business, according to the newspaper account.

“We couldn’t be more delighted to be selling this business to the Fletchers,” said Vic Firth, founder. “They have been very successful at Maine Wood Concepts, and we have the highest respect for the way they manage and operate their business.”

The sale includes all of the equipment, inventory, intellectual property and customer lists associated with the gourmet line business.

Maine Wood Concepts was founded in 1971, and has been a manufacturer of custom wood turnings and moldings such as wooden nickels, craft items, toy parts, wooden knobs, handles and industrial wood components. In 2005, it acquired Cincinnati-based Lutz File and Tool Co. and Pride Manufacturing Co. based in Guilford, Maine.

Maine Wood Concepts employs 80 workers at its New Vineyard locations. 

The effect of the sale on jobs at Vic Firth’s facility was not immediately clear, the newspaper reported.