Two major cabinet manufacturing plants in North Carolina are set to close, leading to the loss of 274 jobs. The first of the companies, based in Statesville, will shut down its operations and lay off 74 employees permanently by mid-January 2025. This decision was announced in a WARN notice issued in late November. Meanwhile, another plant in Liberty, will also cease operations, resulting in 200 permanent layoffs around May 2025.
Photo: Dreamstime.
Both the companies Dura Supreme and Norcraft's facilities are subsidiaries of MasterBrand, a leading American cabinet manufacturer. Dura Supreme's closure comes despite recent plans to expand its workforce by 200 positions after its acquisition by MasterBrand earlier this year. The plant, which began operations just a year ago, will see workers affected by this decision without the option of 'bumping rights' and, notably, employees are not unionised. In the case of Norcraft, all the affected workers are in manufacturing roles.
MasterBrand has pledged to assist affected employees by offering transition support, severance pay, and help covering benefits costs post-termination. Additionally, the company has expressed its intention to facilitate relocations for workers to other MasterBrand facilities, such as the plant in Kinston, North Carolina. However, Kinston is located about 3.5 hours away from Statesville and just over two hours from Liberty, presenting challenges for those considering relocation.
This move by MasterBrand highlights the ongoing changes within the US cabinet manufacturing sector, reflecting the economic pressures and business adjustments faced by the industry. The closures come at a time when the sector is grappling with shifts in demand and operational restructuring to maintain competitiveness.
Source: www.woodworkingnetwork.com