ESCANABA — After nearly 60 years of local ownership, Besse Forest Products Group has been sold to the Hoffmann Family of Companies. Founded by John Besse in 1966 with the launch of Northern Michigan Veneers, Inc. in Gladstone, Besse Forest Products Group expanded significantly over decades. It now operates a network of sawmills, wood drying facilities and veneer and plywood factories across northern Michigan and Wisconsin. According to HFOC, the strategic move adds to the company’s portfolio, complementing their existing Ferche Millwork operations. Combined, the two operations gives HFOC over 2 million square feet of production facilities and a workforce of more than 1,400 people in wood products manufacturing. …Greg Besse will continue in his role as CEO of the Besse Forest Products Group, overseeing the entire operation. …Like Besse Forest Products Group, which has been family-owned since its inception, HFOC is family-owned.