A subsidiary of James Hardie Industries SE is shuttering a fiberglass window manufacturing plant in Ladysmith, Wis., where 80 employees will lose their jobs by Jan. 7.
The facility opened in 2014 to produce Beechworth Windows for the replacement window market in the Midwest. The operation was housed in a former Weather Shield Manufacturing plant.
“The closure has been prompted by the company's decision to discontinue manufacturing at that location,” according to a Nov. 7 notice to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce.
The layoffs affect 58 hourly workers and 22 salaried employees. Subsidiary officials could not immediately be reached for comment. A customer service representative said the company is discontinuing the brand and an announcement will be made.
Well known for its fiber-cement siding, James Hardie started Chicago-based Beechworth Windows in 2014 to manufacture high-end fiberglass windows and patio doors. The company had already purchased the fiberglass assets of Teel Plastics in Baraboo, Wis., in 2012.
Beechworth touts the performance, strength and moisture resistance of its pultruded profiles.