OSAGE CITY — An Osage City builder of modular homes and multi-family structures has suspended operations, saying the economy and harsh winter left it without enough work to continue.
Kan Build, Inc., announced that it would suspend operations immediately, costing 78 workers their jobs, the Associated Press reported.
The closing also puts the future of Allen County Community College’s construction trades class up in the air.
This is the second year in which ACCC students have been offered the vocational program, in which students get hands-on training through a partnership with Kan Build.
“It’s a tough deal because the students were able to get such a nice overview of the construction industry,” ACCC President John Masterson told the Register Monday.
Eighteen students are enrolled in the construction class this spring, Masterson said.
“As far as timing — if there is a good time for something like this — it’s not going to hurt us for now,” Masterson said, explaining that the students are wrapping up a section on learning about climate control systems this week. Their final two sections of the spring semester would focus on painting and concrete work.
The college already has approached city officials in Osage City about painting opportunities, while another contractor already had been assigned to work with the students, Masterson said.
“The real estate market has always been somewhat fragile, so the situation didn’t come as a complete shock,” Masterson said.
Losing the college’s affiliation with Kan Build will force administrators to look at other potential partners for the construction trades program, “or possibly refocus what we do.”
Kan Build spokesman Quintin Robert said on Friday that the move was prompted by a long housing recession, a sharp reduction in new home financing and the harsh winter, according to the Associated Press.
Robert told The Emporia Gazette on Friday Kan Build hopes to receive enough orders or a new financial partner to return to work in early spring.
In 2001, the company had three production facilities and nearly 500 employees, with combined sales of nearly $30 million.
Kan Build suspension impacts ACCC classes
