Marshfield-based Prince Corp. could close, lay off 107 employees in February

A Marshfield-based company founded by a Civil War veteran is in danger of closing and laying off 107 employees next month if its assets aren’t sold.

That’s according to a layoff notice filed with the state in December. Prince Corp. provides lawn and garden, pet, wild bird and agriculture products to independent retailers. 

In the layoff notice, the company said that its assets could be sold through a court-supervised receivership proceeding. 

But if those assets aren’t sold or if a buyer doesn’t “hire substantially all of the employees,” plant closures and mass layoffs could happen, beginning on Feb. 19, the notice states.

Prince Corp. says the actions would affect a facility in Marshfield, as well as facilities in Illinois and Indiana. If those facilities close, the company expects all 107 employees will be laid off. Eighty of those employees are based in Wisconsin.

“All positions at the company will be eliminated,” the layoff notice reads. “Further, no other employment opportunities will be available.”

The notice also says business circumstances could change and employees may not be laid off if the facilities are purchased and remain operational. But it says that it’s currently “impossible” for Prince Corp. to know which employees may be affected.

“We regret having to make the decision; however, business and industry circumstances leave us no alternative,” the notice says. 

Company officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.

Prince Corp. was founded in Marshfield as Banner Mills in 1886 by Civil War veteran William H. Upham. Upham also served as mayor of Marshfield and as governor of Wisconsin from 1895 to 1897. Upham’s son, Fred, died in 2018 at the age of 97.