Masterbrand closing Virginia plant

From WITZ: MasterBrand Cabinets employees were notified that the Martinsville, Virginia, plant would close this Friday resulting in the layoff of 335 employees.

The company announced the closing Friday, citing a “protracted depression” in the kitchen cabinet market. According to Robert Jacobs, MasterBrand executive vice president of human resources the move is purely “geographical”, referencing the companies plans to consolidate the production of  semi-custom cabinets.

Greg Stoner, president of the company said, “After a thorough review of our manufacturing operations, we’ve made the decision to consolidate the production of our semi-custom cabinetry offerings into other U.S. facilities to maximize current production capabilities and geographic advantages. We remain focused on outperforming a challenging market, and have enough capacity in our remaining facilities to see us through a recovery in this market.”

Part of Fortune Brands Home & Security, the MasterBrand group manufactures semi-custom and custom cabinetry. The company’s Martinsville facility is one of its four plants in the U.S. that manufacture semi-custom cabinetry mainly for remodeling projects. The Martinsville plant began production in the Henry County Virginia facility in 2004 when Masterbrand purchased 5-B’s Inc.

Company officials say that the employees will receive 60 days of pay and benefits. The company has plans to provide assistance through an out-placement firm.