Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Sunday, July 20, 2008

Wis. factory makes treat holders — Popsicle sticks

RHINELANDER, Wis. (AP) — Anyone who’s enjoyed an ice cream bar or Popsicle on a warm summer day likely used a product of Solon Manufacturing in Rhinelander.

The factory makes the wooden sticks used for those cold treats.

Larry Henderson is manufacturing superintendent at Solon, which he says is the largest U.S. maker of ice cream sticks.

They’re made from northern white birch trees because the wood is odorless and tasteless. The wood has to be cut to a fine veneer before the sticks are punched out, dried and processed on the way to being shipped to customers.

While demand stays high, the company faces competition from foreign imports.

Earlier this month, Gov. Doyle announced the state will provide additional assistance for about 20 Solon workers who lost jobs or work time since April 2007 because of the impact of imports.

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