The Greenbrier Companies’ vessel fabrication business, Gunderson Marine, which operates within a 58-acre industrial waterfront site on Front Avenue in Northwest Portland, Oregon., has been sold to Oregon Green Manufacturing.
The sale was announced by Greenbrier on May 16.
Oregon Green Manufacturing was recently established by local experts in the manufacturing and business space: Terrence “Terry” Aarnio, who served as chairman and majority owner of Oregon Iron Works, Inc. until Vigor Industrial’s acquisition in 2014, and Marvin “Dee” Burch, president of Portland-based Advanced American Construction.
While the terms of the sale were not disclosed, the announcement stated that the companies have a non-competition agreement related to Greenbrier’s core business of freight railcar products and services, adding that Lake Oswego, Oregon-based Greenbrier “previously announced the cessation of railcar manufacturing activity at the facility.”
“The transition of Gunderson Marine and the Front Avenue site leaves us encouraged but also with a heavy heart,” Greenbrier CEO and President Lorie Tekorius stated. “Greenbrier was founded in Oregon and remains an Oregon-headquartered company with operations now on three continents. We have been a steward of the Gunderson location since entering railcar manufacturing in 1985. The facility holds a special place in the life of Portland and Oregon.”
“Ensuring the continued employment of our dedicated workforce was a priority in selecting a buyer for Gunderson Marine,” Tekorius continued. “We know Terry, Dee and their team share Greenbrier’s community and people-first mindset, which will be a principal focus as (Oregon Green Manufacturing) moves forward.”
The move ensures that about 300 jobs will remain at Gunderson, the companies said in the announcement, with Aarnio and Burch also stating they both plan to invest, expand and diversify operations on Front Avenue.
“The facility is a premier location for a range of energy efficiency and infrastructure fabrication projects supported by recently enacted federal funding which we will actively pursue,” Burch said. “Gunderson Marine provides us with a foundation of great products, an advanced manufacturing facility and a talented team.”
