Midwest Manufacturing, which produced goods for Wheatware Biodegradables, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Jan. 25. The Grand Island, Neb.-based company has listed $1.3 million in assets and $4.1 million in liabilities.

Midwest Manufacturing CEO and Secretary Warren Kirsch, who also serves as CEO of Wheatware, said that the filing was made to reorganize the manufacturer’s debt. Wheatware is a separate business entity and is not named in the bankruptcy filing.

“In 2010, Wheatware U.S.A. Inc., which distributes in 49 states and across the world, took over all manufacturing of its wheat-based biodegradable products,” Kirsch said. “Its affiliated manufacturer voluntarily chose Chapter 11 to reorganize its debt.”

Wheatware produces guitar picks, drumsticks and a variety of other items, including combs, hangers, chopsticks and flatware, from biodegradable wheat.

The company’s environmental mission is to preserve trees and reduce reliance on foreign oil. Wheatware was featured on the History Channel’s TV show “Modern Marvels” in 2008 and at the Grammy’s “Green With Music” event. Wheatware was also a “Best In Show” winner at Summer NAMM 2007 in Nashville, Tenn. MI

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