Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio-based building products manufacturer Associated Materials LLC is closing a facility in Fife, Wash., that employs about 150 people as it undergoes a corporate restructuring being billed as a new era for the 78-year-old company.
Window manufacturing is being concentrated in Yuma, Ariz., where company officials operate what they call the "factory of the future" at a site built to suit the Alside window brand in 2005.
"The optimization of the windows manufacturing footprint was part of our long-term strategy to strengthen the customer experience by making significant investments in innovation and efficiency, which includes investments in flexible spacer technology and high-yield glass lines as we expand our facility in Yuma," Mark Dickinson, vice president of human resources and manufacturing, told Plastics News in an email.
"To maximize those investments, we have made the decision to concentrate windows manufacturing in the West [in Yuma]," Dickinson said.
Founded in 1947 as Alside Inc., Associated Materials manufactures vinyl windows and doors, vinyl siding and Ascend-brand composite siding as well as some metal building products. With the Fife closure, he company has 10 manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Canada: Cuyahoga Falls and West Salem, Ohio; Woodbridge, N.J.; Kinston, N.C.; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Ennis, Texas; Lambeth and Burlington, Ontario; Point Claire, Quebec; and Yuma.
In Fife, the layoffs started Jan. 13 and will continue through March 14, according to a Jan. 13 letter from a company official to the Washington State Employment Security Department and Fife Mayor Kim Roscoe.
"In total, the company expects that up to 150 employees, all individuals employed by the company at the facility, will permanently lose their current positions at the facility, but a number of employees may not suffer job losses as a result of anticipated transfers to other company facilities," says the letter from Mark Dickinson, vice president of human resources, operations, at Associated Materials.
The company also issued a news release on Jan. 15 announcing that, effective immediately, it will operate as three distinct businesses under the Associated Materials LLC umbrella: Associated Materials Innovations, Alside and Gentek Building Products.
The company spokesperson also said eligible Fife plant employees will receive severance, job search assistance and an opportunity to apply for different roles within the company.
James Drexinger remains CEO of Associated Materials LLC, a position he has held since 2022.
"This is an exciting next step in our journey of continuous growth that allows us to optimize our business and take advantage of the complete market," Drexinger said in the release. "By creating three strong businesses, we are better positioned to drive innovation, increase efficiency, deliver outstanding customer experiences and expand our market share with the support of Associated Materials LLC."
Each business has leadership empowered to make decisions and drive growth to meet the unique needs of their respective markets, Drexinger added.
At Associated Materials Innovations, Frank Natoli was appointed CEO of what will be the manufacturing arm of the business in the U.S. and Canada.
At Alside, Dan Watkoske will serve as CEO of the business unit with more than 100 supply centers across the U.S.
At Gentek Building Products, Philippe Bourbonniere will continue as president of the manufacturer and distributor serving Canada.
"This strategic realignment leverages each business's core strengths for sustained growth. We are dedicated to transparent communication and look forward to introducing further enhancements to our customers in the coming weeks and months," Drexinger said.
With combined sales of $1.7 billion, Associated Materials' businesses produce vinyl windows, cladding, metal siding, trim and other building products for residential, light commercial and multifamily projects.
Associated Materials is the 19th-largest plastic pipe, profile and tubing producer in North America with related sales estimated at $390 million, according to PN's latest ranking.
In Fife, local media describe the Associated Materials site as a production/warehouse facility. PN has no record of extrusion there. The location supplies Alpine and Alside windows to builders and developers in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and Hawaii, according to the Fife Milton Edgewood Chamber of Commerce website.
In March 2024, Associated Materials laid off 190 employees as it moved production from its headquarters site to other facilities in more active markets. At that time, Dickinson said the workforce was reduced "as a result of optimizing our U.S. windows manufacturing operations."
The Yuma operation is a 222,554-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility leased from the FD Stonewater investment firm, which acquired it in April 2022. The industrial building has 25-foot clear heights throughout the warehouse, an internal crane system, 22 dock truck doors, 6,000 square feet of recently renovated office space, and it can accommodate an expansion of another 55,000 square feet to accommodate any future needs.