By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – Normal’s City Manager welcomes the news of the purchase of the Mitsubishi Motors plant by Michigan-based Maynards Industries.

Maynards specializes in manufacturing asset auctions and valuation projects. Their projects, according to the company’s website, are valued at up to half-a-billion dollars across five countries.

Normal City Manager Mark Peterson said, while they have yet to make direct contact with Maynards, it’s clear the company is well connected.

“I would think they’re certainly motivated to sell the entire plant,” said Peterson. “Some have asked me, are they going to dismantle it and sell it piece-by-piece? That’s certainly a possibility, but I think it’s probably in their best interest to try to sell the entire plant.

“They’re certainly better positioned than is the company, Mistubishi, to find a buyer to take over that plant. So in that regard I think it’s a positive thing, but we’ll see.”

The Mitsubishi plant has been closed since late 2015, although 60 employees are still working at the plant. Their last day is May 31.

A press release Friday did not release further details on the purchase agreement. Mitsubishi spokesman Dan Irvin declined to make any further comments.

“We want to be supportive, as we have been, and play an active role,” said Peterson. “We just need to find out from the people with Maynards exactly what they expect from us and what would be helpful to them.”

Normal Mayor Chris Koos and Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council CEO Kyle Ham are returning from a economic development convention in Germany, which Peterson said seems to have produced some good contacts for future purchase of the plant.

State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) said he remains “optimistic” the plant can be turned around as a whole to a different buyer. He added he’s happy to see movement on the property and hopes jobs can eventually be brought back to the plant.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].