The announcement has been made now to give the 198 employees time to search for new jobs, according to Pella.
“New home construction has dropped as much as 60 to 70 percent in the U.S. from the record levels of just a few years ago, dramatically decreasing demand for building materials, as consumer confidence remains weak. Therefore, unfortunately, we must close this plant to reduce excess manufacturing capacity,” Pella Heritage Division President Denny Van Zanten said in the prepared statement.
The entry-door operations will be moved to Pella, Ia., where the company is headquartered. The energy-efficient window and door maker employs more than 8,000 people in the United States, also according to the company.
Pella has 12 manufacturing facilities in the U.S., including the Fairfield factory, which was acquired in 1999, said Kathy Krafka Harkema, a spokeswoman for Pella. Two independent distributors of Pella Windows & Doors in Cincinnati will stay open, Krafka Harkema said.
There will be incentives for employees who stay until their separation date, she added.