The Spokane franchise of the Milwaukee-based employment Service Manpower Inc. was purchased on Aug. 30 by MLPC Ltd., part of a southwestern U.S. chain of Manpower franchises.

The sale by former owner Tom Droz was unusual, says Jeff Parker, a regional director for the franchise group in Albuquerque, N.M.

"The last franchise acquisition was in 1991," Parker says. "Phil Blair and Mel Katz, our franchise owners, know Tom Droz very well. He was prepared to exit, and Manpower Inc. was not prepared to purchase. It was a great opportunity for us."

Droz's family had owned the Spokane franchise for more than 50 years, he says.

The Manpower and Manpower Professional offices here, located in two suites at 720 W. Boone, have two recruiters and one temporary recruiting assistant. David McKenzie, member-services representative for the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, is joining the franchise as business development manager.

Manpower provides temporary and permanent placements in clerical, light industrial, manufacturing, and professional positions. It also assists companies with accounting and human resources services.

Parker says Blair and Katz own eight other Manpower Franchises through CPM Ltd., in San Diego, and through MPC Ltd., in New Mexico.

Parker says he doesn't know the purchase price of the Spokane franchise. Tom Droz could not be reached for comment.