Lincoln Logs, the popular toy created nearly a century ago by a son of Frank Lloyd Wright, is coming home to the USA. Maine Gov. Paul LePage announced yesterday that the toy logs, created by John Lloyd Wright and used to create miniature toy buildings, will be made at Pride Manufacturing, a wood products company in Burnham. The toy has been made in China, but when production of the wooden pieces ramps up, possibly in November, 80% of the product will be made at the plant in Maine, says a Pride rep. Some plastic pieces will still be made in China.
"The addition of Lincoln Logs is an exciting opportunity for us, and we're proud to be able to say that this iconic toy is made right here in Maine," says the Pride rep. Pride Manufacturing employs about 130 people. The company anticipates adding up to 10 jobs with the Lincoln Logs contract. K'NEX, based in Hatfield, Pa., currently holds the product license. The company's senior vice president of operations, Larry Fanelle, says, "We couldn't be happier to bring these jobs back to the United States and specifically to Maine." (More Lincoln Logs stories.)