AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS

Houston, Texas-based Quanex Building Products, a manufacturer/distributor of building components, has announced that its building components subsidiary Kent, Washington-based Mikron Industries, a manufacturer of vinyl and composite window and door components, will close its Richmond, Kentucky manufacturing plant.

The closure will impact 140 employees in phases commencing June 7, 2024.

affect about 65 extruder operators, 16 maintenance technicians, 13 material handlers, and five each in the compounding, recycling, and tooling departments, among others.

According to Quanex President and CEO George Wilson, "As mentioned on our December call, we entered this year with a somewhat cautious outlook for the first half due to the ongoing macroeconomic challenges, but we remain optimistic that demand for our products will improve in the second half as consumer confidence is restored over time. While the near-term outlook for our business remains somewhat cautious, our long-term view has not changed, and we believe the underlying fundamentals for the residential housing market remain positive."

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT ASSOCIATED MATERIALS

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio-based Associated Materials, a manufacturer and distributor of exterior building products for residential and commercial remodeling and new construction markets, including vinyl windows, vinyl and composite siding and accessories, and metal building products, has announced a restructuring and a reduction in its workforce.

The reduction in force will impact 190 employees.

According to a company statement, "As part of the company’s long-term plan, it is concentrating windows production in the U.S. to locations strategically aligned to growth opportunities in the market and where it can continue to service existing customers. The company will be eliminating employees dedicated to windows manufacturing operations, excluding specialty windows at its Central Facility."

"Associated Materials remains committed to Central as part of the company’s headquarters with manufacturing, warehousing, and expanded engineering and development capacity. In addition to continuing to produce patio doors and specialty windows, Central will transform into a windows innovation hub focused on developing its most innovative products. The company is committed to supporting those affected by this transition. Eligible employees will receive severance and support in job searching. Additionally, employees will have the opportunity to apply for different roles within the company."

The company was acquired by Greenwich, Connecticut-based investment firm Strategic Value Partners in 2022.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT C.H. BRIGGS

Reading, Pennsylvania-based C.H. Briggs, a woman-owned distributor of interior specialty building materials, has announced that it will be winding down operations in the coming months and closing the business.

The closure will impact 130 employees across its five locations in Reading, Pennsylvania; Lansdale, Pennsylvania; Richmond, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Norcross, Georgia.

According to C.H. Briggs Chairwoman Julia Klein, “To say we are sad and disappointed would be an understatement. Changes in the supply chains we depended on mean we can no longer provide the quality of products and customer service that was the hallmark of our business. We made every attempt to avoid this outcome. Our efforts were exhaustive, but we were left with no other option but to wind down our operations.

"We recognize how painful this decision is for our co-workers and customers, which is why we worked so hard to avoid it. We have a talented team, and we are doing all we can to help them be successful in the next phase of their careers. We have built a strong culture over three generations, and we are deeply grateful to our co-workers, customers and suppliers for more than a half-century of empowering, elevating and enriching the lives of the communities we serve."

"C.H. Briggs is more than just a distributor of specialty building materials. Our work has always been about people and community – creating exceptional spaces where we can all live, work, learn, play, and heal. Our hope is that those spaces, and the people who design and build them, will be our legacy.”

The company’s decision to close was made after exhaustive efforts to restructure its relationship with its primary supplier were unsuccessful.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?