By James P. Miller

Woodard LLC, the Chicago outdoor-furniture firm owned by the Crown family’s CC Industries holding company, said today that the family is evaluating “strategic options” for Woodard as part of a broader review CC is conducting of its portfolio of businesses.


CC Industries owns a variety of assets, including truck-trailer maker Great Dane, farm-equipment manufacturer Bush Hog, real estate holdings, and Woodard. Over the past several months, the Crown family holding vehicle has opted to shed the bulk of its movie-theater operations and golf-course interests.

In a Monday release, Woodard noted that those divestitures were the result of the family’s recent decision “to strategically evaluate their portfolio of operating businesses.”

In connection with that effort, the maker of metal and wicker furniture said, CC Industries has “been engaged in discussions with potential financial and operating partners to evaluate the stategic options for Woodard.” To date, the company said, “nothing has been finalized” regarding Woodard’s future.

jpmiller@tribune.com