Dear Editor,

I read with deep sadness the article on InkFreeNews (11/17/2020) about the closing of Wabash Valley Manufacturing in Silver Lake. I worked there for 28 years and I remember the true Wabash Valley Mfg. Covid-19 might have had some impact on this decision, but that was not the only reason behind the closing of this successful business.                                                                                 

This company began as the vision and dream of the Shilling family from the South Whitley area. What started as a Plastisol coated livestock flooring company soon blossomed into one of the most well known outdoor site amenity producers in the nation and beyond. The name Wabash Valley Mfg. became synonymous with cities, schools, parks, professional and collegiate stadiums, amusement parks, malls, etc. across America and Internationally.

After many years of ownership, the Shillings decided to hand the reins over to a larger company.  There were several different owners, but in 2017 the company was acquired by Littlejohn and Company and control of Wabash Valley Mfg. was turned over to a company called Playpower.                     

As time went on, it was obvious that Playpower wanted all the control and authority. They no longer wanted the opinion of the management team at Wabash Valley who had been a part of the ongoing success of the business. Eventually, the successful little business in the small community began to lose its voice.

Playpower began making changes several years ago by taking away the Wabash Valley catalog, a sales staple for many years, and requesting that sales be directed away from the website. They took away the profit sharing and monthly bonuses that had long been incentives for the employees. They began to eliminate key positions of employees who had been with Wabash Valley for 25 plus years. Even with all of these changes, Wabash Valley remained open and profitable throughout the pandemic. Through July, sales were down 20%, but even then, Wabash Valley remained very profitable with 20% plus profit on sales all year. In October and November of this year, Wabash Valley experienced 2 of the busiest months in the history of the company. 

Could they have rebounded after the pandemic, you bet they could have, but they will not be given the chance. Instead, the company that was brought to life here in this small rural community and flourished for so many years, will now be sent away to a different state. I guess it’s true that bigger is not always better. 

Thanks, Wabash Valley Mfg., for all you have meant to the employees, the community and to Indiana.  You will be missed. 

Angie Burkhart
Warsaw