Bush Hog Plant in Tennessee May Be For Sale

The Bush Hog manufacturing company in Washington County, Tenn., may be sold, its owner has announced.

The $27 million, 360,000-square-foot factory earlier this month "suspended operations" for at least two weeks as a result of slow sales nationally of Bush Hog equipment.

Bush Hog is owned by CC Industries of Chicago, a corporation which, in turn, is owned by Henry Crown & Co., also of Chicago.

"The decision has been made to explore strategic options with respect to their continued investment in Bush Hog, LLC," CC Industries (CCI) announced. "CCI is currently in the process of hiring financial advisers who will assist in this effort, which may include (the) sale of the business.

"As these options are being evaluated, Bush Hog will be taking actions to make the business more attractive to potential buyers. This will include, but not be limited to, reducing the amount of working capial currently invested in the business."

Rumors have circulated in recent months that the Bush Hog plant might be sold, possibly to a European company that would make different products.

However, calls to the Bush Hog plant recently have been referred to the company's headquarters in Alabama, where Bush Hog executives have had little or nothing to say publicly.

Bush Hog also has three manufacturing plants in Alabama and another in Great Bend, Kansas. The plant in Tennessee opened in 2001.