Hiawatha Log Homes closed last April.
By Jerry Hume
Monday, November 16, 2009 at 5:21 p.m.
Read more: Local, Economy, Hiawatha Log Homes, Business, Wetmore
WETMORE -- Three U.P. businessmen are bringing new life to an Alger County company that closed last spring. Hiawatha Log Homes, known for producing custom log homes, is going back in business.
After hitting tough economic times, the business was shut down in April. Then this past September, three investors--David Holli, John Jilbert, and Paul Arsenault--bought the business. They hope by offering a variety of products, they can keep the business afloat.
"Diversification is one thing maybe,” said Jilbert, “you know being able to maybe cut some expenses in areas and get more volume; I think that's the key."
Although production has yet to begin, they're cleaning up and preparing for business.
"It seems like the housing market has made a turn for the better,” said General Manager Rick Rhoades, Sr., “and we're real hopeful that's going to benefit us here immediately and certainly down the road."
Right now, six of the seven on staff are former employees of Hiawatha Log Homes.
"I was off all summer,” said Sales Manager Bob Heise. “Kind of in the back of my mind, I was sure hoping this business was going to come back, that Hiawatha was going to be a reality again, and I'm real happy that came true."
Officials say they're looking to hire up to three more employees in the next month. They hope by early next year, they'll have a staff of 20 people.
