KINGFIELD – A Massachusetts company has purchased the former H.G. Winter and Sons plant on Depot Street.

As of Wednesday, the plant became the northern division of New England Wire Products Inc., with headquarters in Fitchburg, Mass.

There will be 20 to 30 jobs, which could expand, said Alison Stowell, New England Wire Products operation manager, during a phone interview.

John Karchenes of Coplin Plantation, a supervisor at the Kingfield plant, said there would be job opportunities.

New England Wire Products has been manufacturing custom displays since 1980, according to its Web site. The company fabricates tubing, sheet metal and wire to make counter, floor and wall display racks for customers.

The company is hoping to expand into wood displays, Stowell said.

It employs 235 people in its Massachusetts operation and has a facility of 200,000 square feet there.

“We’re excited,” Stowell said. “We’re really looking forward to expanding up there.”

The Kingfield site is in one of Gov. John Baldacci’s Pine Tree Zones. A zone is a specific area targeted for business incentives to spur economic development. The zones are supposed to create jobs, broaden the tax base and improve the overall economy of the state.

Jordan Lumber Co. bought the former wood-turning plant, several buildings and its 40-acre site, after H.G. Winter and Sons closed last year.

Jonathan Jordan, vice president of the lumber company, said the sale of the plant to New England Wire was finalized Wednesday.

Karchenes said Friday that the new northern division was receiving shipments of steel and equipment and the facility was being transformed as he spoke.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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