SOUTH DEERFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) — Published reports indicate that Yankee Candle, one of the area’s largest employers, may be up for sale.
Reuters is reporting that the Chicago-based private equity company that owns the candle company is working with Barclays and Bank of America to put Yankee on the market.
Even Franklin County’s Chamber of Commerce President Ann Hamilton is fuzzy on the details that Yankee Candle is possibly being sold. “Well, all I know is what I heard from the news today, and what I know is what I know, if it’s true, then I’m not particularly concerned about it,” she said.
Hamilton also notes these kinds of discussions aren’t anything new. “This type of thing has happened before. They’ve been seamless, people have worked there for many, many years, they are an excellent employer, an excellent corporate citizen and they must be very valuable if someone is trying to sell it,” she said.
Hamilton notes that Yankee Candle is a big part of the local economy, bringing in millions of visitors each year which helps out local restaurants and other attractions.
Madison Dearborn Partners paid $1.6 billion for the company in 2006.
1,600 people work at Yankee Candle’s headquarters in South Deerfield and it’s factory in Whately.
Last year, the company made nearly $850 million.
Yankee Candle spokesperson Karen Woods tells ABC40 that the company does not comment on rumors.
Hopefully not to china!!
NO!!!!!!
Maybe Mike Kittredge can buy it back and merge with Kringle Candle and call it Yankee Kringle Candle
That sucks!
Just opening it up for potential stockholders
To who? A bald white guy for…. one BEEEEEEELION DOLLARS????
Noooooooooo
Bye. Keep on raising the taxes in MA Patrick.
Penn National buying it??????????
Probably be layoffs too.
They are a little in the expensive side. I prefer my dollar store Jesus candles.
LMAO.
Steve, don’t they have candles at Cumbie’s? HA HA HA.
Sold then liquidated…sad…another iconic american company down the tubs….
Down the tubs? You are so confusing…
Nobody listens :shrug:
Too bad Word Press doesn’t allow editing.
Shawn you and the queen should hook up . You guys got a lot in common. Just don’t have any kids!!!!!!
That’ll never happen.
Please and thank you? My, my.
I don’t know what your problem is, but I’ll bet it’s hard to pronounce.
I see you’ve set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public.
@alpinequeen its humilating that someone would even suggest I would like dogs.
Thank you. We’re all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.
Do you ever wonder what life would be like if you’d had enough oxygen at birth?
I have heard it’s a crappy place to work now.