(July 6, 2007 - Scranton, PA) Mericle Agent Jillian Wiese played an instrumental role in helping Scranton-based transportation company  Knitney Lines, Inc. continue its rebound from a devastating fire last year.

Wiese helped Knitney coordinate the purchase of the vacant Global Metalform building on Davis Street for $2.1 million. Knitney recently acquired the assets of Lake Ariel-based R.E. Wittenbrader Inc. and plans to expand its business using the former Wittenbrader employees and adding 20 new workers. This will result in about 50 employees working at the new Scranton site, said Knitney Lines owner Herlow Rowlands Sr.

The 175,000-square-foot Global Metalform building that once housed Suckle Corp. sits on 10 acres and has 10 docks.  It had been vacant for more than two years. Knitney Lines wanted to expand into warehousing to offer another service to its clients, Mr. Rowlands said. The company hired Rudy Biscontini, whose family has long been in the logistics business in the Wilkes-Barre area, to help develop this new part of the business.

About half the new building is already reserved for Knitney’s existing clients. Because the building is also fully equipped for manufacturing, Mr. Rowlands said he will make space available to several light-manufacturing tenants, including start-ups.

The acquisition and expansion comes despite a major setback for Knitney. Its corporate offices were destroyed by fire in November. Today Knitney employs 138 and has 115 trucks.