Fate of Wadley plant, jobs remains in question

A manufacturing plant in Selma could be sold without its counterpart in Wadley, saving some jobs in Alabama.

John Whitaker with the local Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union said the potential sale of the Plantation Patterns plant in Selma to Home Casual could save jobs for 300 to 500 people. But that’s assuming a bankruptcy judge in Delaware allows for the sale of part of the company.

The plant’s parent company, Birmingham-based Meadowcraft, Inc., filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March. Bids for the Wadley plants were on the market through July 24. Bids were opened in court Monday and Whitaker said the only qualifying bid was for Selma.

Both Meadowcraft and Home Casual produce patio furniture.

The bankruptcy judge is expected to decide Friday if accepting the bid and dividing up the company is the best option, Whitaker said. However, the fate of the Wadley facility and its employees remains in question.

Without a qualifying bid for Wadley, Whitaker said the judge could close the plant and let the banks liquidate. But he said union workers and community members remain hopeful the judge would allow the search for a potential buyer to continue.