Samsons to cease manufacturing
By Anne Marie Kyzer Staff Writer

Waynesboro's oldest and longest- running manufacturing company will cease production by early next year.

Samsons Manufacturing Corp., once the largest producer of soft window treatments in the U.S., will stop manufacturing after January, according to owner Ric Lichtenberg.

"It's a very competitive marketplace, and we just cannot compete domestically anymore," he explained.

Approximately 50 employees who still work in the shrinking division will be laid off. The company once employed some 800 people between their manufacturing and shipping divisions in Waynesboro.

The employees who lose their jobs will be eligible for unemployment benefits.

Lichtenberg said he will still operate the Samsons facility as a distribution center and has no plans to close up shop in Burke County. Around 50-60 employees will still work there. Lichtenberg's Galaxy Distribution, next door to Samsons, will continue to employ between 60- 80 workers, not including office staff.

"I would like to dispel any rumor that we will not be here. We're not going anywhere," Lichtenberg stressed, stating that his distribution business is doing quite well. "We're just not manufacturing."

William H. "Dub" Harper, chairman of the Burke County Development Authority, said he was sorry to see an end to the local manufacturing division but applauded Lichtenberg for his dedication to this area.

"Samsons and its owners have been loyal to Burke County. Ric Lichtenberg has gone beyond the call of duty to try to save manufacturing jobs for local citizens. He has not given up on Waynesboro," Harper said, thanking Lichtenberg for his investment.

Lichtenberg's company continues to be the country's largest distributor of window coverings, and he said he plans to expand that arm of his business here.

"We only have plans to grow," he said.

Next year will mark the 75th anniversary of S. Lichtenberg and Company, the parent company of Samsons and Galaxy.

In neighboring Jenkins County, residents are coping with the loss of about 200 jobs, which will come with the close of MI Windows and Doors and Capitol Architectural Products at the year's end. Citizens there continue to cope with the closure of Jockey International last year as well as other recent lay offs.