GALAX, Va. — Case goods manufacturer Vaughan-Bassett Furniture is looking to find a buyer for a lumber processing and


parts manufacturing plant in Atkins, Va.

Unless a buyer is found, the plant would close in late January, a move that would affect about 55 workers. The plant produces panels and posts for its wood furniture products made in Galax and in Elkin, N.C.

Vaughan-Bassett purchased the facility, which originally made furniture under the Virginia House Furniture name, in the late 1990s. It has operated as a lumber processing and parts facility for the last several years, said Doug Bassett, vice president of sales.

The Virginia Employment Commission said the plant employed as many as 65 people when it first received notice of the closure in late November. However, Bassett said that figure has been lower than that more recently.

Bassett said the company is closing the facility because it has enough capacity in its Galax and Elkin plants to produce the parts. He said some workers from the Atkins may have opportunities to work in those facilities.