Dowco Inc. announced in a letter dated Oct. 11 that it would close its Manitowoc plant and layoff all 53 employees before the end of the year.
The letter to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, is the result of a decision to consolidate its operations at its Missouri and Indiana plants.
The company, which manufactures boat covers, bimini tops, full boat enclosures and related marine products, was founded in Manitowoc in 1922 as Dow Canvas. It became Dowco in 1996. The business was spun off in 2018 when it was purchased by Patrick Industries, but retained the Dowco name. At the time, Patrick Industries reported Dowco had annual revenue of $37 million.
The layoff notice lists 15 salary and 38 hourly positions that are being eliminated in mid-December.
