Modular builder Skender Manufacturing closes, citing coronavirus challenges
Chicago-based Skender Manufacturing, the modular-focused spinoff of general contractor Skender Construction, has announced it is closing its doors due to economic difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Skender Manufacturing CEO Mark Skender told Construction Dive that a coronavirus-induced downturn in hotel construction had greatly impacted the firm, which produced modular and prefabricated components for residential and commercial projects. “A big part of our market plan was in hospitality,” Skender said. “Clearly, hospitality is going to take a while to recover, so that put a big dent in our forecast and strategy.”
The firm spun off in 2020 from Chicago general contractor Skender Construction, which is still in operation. Company officials, who had ambitions to grow the new company to more than 150 employees at the Southwest Chicago factory site, laid off about 25 people last week, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
