MARTINSVILLE, VA — Laminate Technologies (LamTech), manufacturer of customized laminated panels and fabricated components, says it is anticipating a slight slowdown with the closing of MasterBrand Cabinets’ Martinsville, VA, plant this Friday.

In a statement to the Martinsville Bulletin, Fred Zoeller, co-founder and president and CEO of LamTech, said that news of the MasterBrand plant closing “was a shock to us,” and that he anticipates the growth of his recently opened, Henry County, VA, plant to dip by 25 to 30 percent. However, the rebound in the furniture market and with several furniture manufacturers moving back to the region is still a positive from which LamTech can benefit, Zoellers said to the paper, plus LamTech is not dependent on MasterBrand and has relationships with other local cabinet manufacturers and companies, he noted.

In February, LamTech announced that it was investing several million dollars to open the Henry County, VA, manufacturing plant. The investment was expected to create at least 30 new jobs. In March LamTech hosted a recruitment event looking for 10 people to work in its laminate department — more than 160 people showed up.

According to the local paper, the plant currently has about 15 workers, but it will take more time to fill the remaining positions. Zoeller also told the paper that it could take an additional one to two years to meet its initial goals for the plant.

LamTech, founded in 1985, is one of the country’s largest privately held custom laminators with additional facilities in OH, TX and TN.