Masonite's Kirkwood, NY, Plant to Close
Masonite's Kirkwood, NY, Plant to Close

Masonite's Kirkwood, NY, Plant to CloseTAMPA, FL -- Wood door manufacturer Masonite International Corp. plans to close its Kirkwood, NY, plant, laying off approximately 64 workers, according to a notice issued to the New York State labor department.

The closing is due to economic reasons including the fact that Lowe's plans to reduce its order of Masonite interior doors for its Northeast and Southwest stores, according to published reports.

Democrat and Chronicle quotes Masonite President and CEO Fred Lynch as saying in a November conference call that as result of Lowe's decision, the company would "look at plants associated with this retail channel."

Masonite, with more than 70 locations worldwide, has acquired several wood door manufacturers over the last couple of years including: Lemieux Doors, BirchWood Best, Baillargeon Doors, Algoma Hardwoods, and Marshfield DoorSystems. The company also invested approximately $14 million in its South Carolina door plant last year.

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