LAKEWOOD, NJ -- Masco Cabinetry said it will close its countertop manufacturing facility in Lakewood, NJ, on Nov. 21. The closure will result in the layoff of 191 employee.

According to a statement by the company, most of the employees will be retained through December to fulfill customer orders. Of the employees to be laid off, approximately 35 are salaried and 156 hourly. Masco said it will retain 32 additional salaried employees in similar capacities and will provide outplacement assistance for others.

“Given the competitive environment, Masco Cabinetry has decided to restructure its approach to servicing the countertop marketplace,” Rick Roetken, Masco Cabinetry president said in a statement. “We believe there are great benefits to the cabinetry and countertop partnership. We will continue to serve our kitchen and vanity countertop customers through our other facilities and our network of DeNova Certified Fabricators. Unfortunately, however, this decision results in us needing to close our Lakewood manufacturing operations.”

Headquartered in Taylor, MI, Masco entered the countertop market in 2008 with the acquisition of a small countertop company. Today the Masco Cabinetry group manufactures and sells DeNova brand countertops in addition to cabinet brands Merillat, KraftMaid and QualityCabinets.