Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | November 2, 2026 | Worcester Business Journal 5 Housing shortfall "The problem is that we have about 3,000 apartments in our entire portfolio, of which about 1,500, give or take, are for the elderly and disabled individuals. It just isn't enough." Alex Corrales, CEO of the Worcester Housing Authority, on the supply of elderly housing. Local liquor licenses "All these new licenses had to be restaurants. Because the communities wanted restaurants. They didn't want bars. I think at the end of the day, a lot of neighborhood community folks were very happy that there was a checks and balances in that system to allow that." Aaron Michlewitz, House Ways and Means Committee chair, on the state Legislature's review of recommendations to overhaul the existing liquor license system. Elm Park renovations "My heart and my intent is still to stay committed to that community, because it took a lot to keep it where it is, and you know it could have gone south very easily if the properties were all chopped up and sold to the highest bidder." Russ Haims, founder and president of Worcester-based Hampton Properties, who bought 27 Becker College parcels and turned many of the buildings back into single-family homes in the Elm Park neighborhood. Our Home to shutter Fitchburg's former Wachusett chip factory A Fitchburg factory once utilized by the Wachusett Potato Chip Co. is closing, resulting in 62 employees being laid off. Our Home, the New Jersey-based manufacturer of snacks including Pop- chips and Pop Secret that purchased the factory in 2024, submitted a letter last week to the MassHire Depart- ment of Career Services notifying the state it will be closing its facility at 759 Water St. on or around Dec. 15. e 62 employees impacted by the closure are not represented by a union, according to the letter, which did not detail why Our Home is closing the facility. Our Home did not respond to a request for comment from WBJ. Our Home purchased the site from Utz Brands in 2024 as part of a broader deal worth $18.5 million that included an Utz facility in Pennsylva- nia. Utz had purchased Wachusett Pota- to Chip Co. in 2011, and continues to manufacture the Wachusett brand. Utz still has a presence in Central Massa- chusetts, operating a Sterling-based warehouse. e closure of the plant is part of a wider shuttering of Our Home facilities in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, according to PennLive and e Charlotte Observer. Our Home also closed a factory in Las Vegas in August, according to Fox5Vegas. e 57,503-square-foot warehouse was built in 1959, according to City of Fitchburg property records. e site received a fiscal 2027 assessment of $2.78 million. Marlborough's IEP Technologies, Newson Gale to be acquired Marlborough-based IEP Technol- ogies and affiliate Newson Gale are being acquired by New York invest- ment firm KKR in a deal expected to close in the first quarter of 2027. KKR announced Oct. 22 it had agreed to buy the two industrial safety businesses from Switzerland-based technology company HOERBIGER. Financial terms were not disclosed. e transaction requires regulatory approvals and remains subject to other closing conditions. IEP makes systems designed to pre- vent industrial explosions or reduce their damage, protecting facilities against hazards involving combustible dust and vapors. Its customers operate in industries including food produc- tion, chemicals, wood processing and energy. Newson Gale, which shares space with IEP in Marlborough, makes grounding equipment that helps pre- vent static electricity from triggering explosions. e companies make up the major- ity of HOERBIGER's safety business. KKR is acquiring them through its Global Impact Strategy, which invests in businesses where KKR says finan- cial returns and societal benefits are closely linked. KKR plans to support new capa- bilities and expansion opportunities aer the acquisition. It also plans to help establish an employee ownership program allowing all IEP and Newson Gale employees to share in the compa- nies' future growth. HOERBIGER will retain its business making explosion relief valves for engines and generators. Bose continues acquisition streak with purchase of Skullcandy Framingham-based Bose Corp. has acquired headphone and earbud maker Skullcandy, marking its third acquisition of the year as the company expands its portfolio of brands and audio technologies. Bose purchased the Park City, Utah- based company from a fund managed by Connecticut private investment firm Mill Road Capital Manage- ment, according to a Wednesday announcement. Financial terms were not disclosed. Skullcandy will remain a sepa- rate brand within Bose's Premium Consumer Audio business and retain its Utah headquarters. Bose plans to support the brand's growth with additional technology, resources, global distribution and commercial relationships. e deal follows a multiyear part- nership that brought Bose technol- ogy to Skullcandy headphones and earbuds. Founded in 2003, Skullcandy makes headphones, earbuds, and speakers, with marketing ties to action sports, music, gaming, and fitness. Bose said those connections offer access to consumers it has had less success reaching. "As a privately held company, we have the freedom to make bold, long- term investments in opportunities we believe in, and Skullcandy is a great example of that," Bose CEO Lila Sny- der said in the announcement. e purchase follows Bose's Oc- tober acquisition of Australia-based Firelight Technologies, developer of FMOD soware used to create adap- tive sound for video games. Bose said that deal could support expansion into gaming, virtual reality and automotive applications. In June, Bose acquired Austria- based StreamUnlimited Engineer- ing, which helps brands develop internet-connected speakers, sound- bars and smart-home devices. at purchase expanded Bose's ability to incorporate its audio technology into products sold by other companies. Anna Maria weighs giving interested buyers more time after auction cancellation Anna Maria College has canceled its planned campus auction aer re- ceiving no qualified bids for its entire property, while moving forward with continues on page 7

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