Schield Family Brands Set To Close Mosiness Plant

Schield Family Brands plans to shut down their facility in Mosiness, Wis and consolidate the plant's operations into other company facilities in Park Falls, Ladysmith and Medford, Wis. by the end of 2012. This will affect approximately "556 manufacturing, office and transportation employees." Schield Family Brands is the manufacturer of Weather Shield, Peachtree, Crestline and Vision windows and doors, but primarily manufacturers vinyl windows and doors.

Company officials state that the decision to close this plant is a result of the continued lack of strength in the housing market, as well as a "necessitating a reduction in the foot print of operations," and a "refusal of the plant's union to agree to proposals and extend the current contract." Lay offs are expected to begin in February 2012 and last into August, when the plant should be officially closed.

As reported by Window & Door Magazine, company officials say: “Being a part of the housing industry has been challenging for the last five years. We continue to see demand decrease, which means we have to adjust the business to better align with the marketplace. This was a difficult decision and we understand that this will be a big loss for the Mosinee community and want to be sensitive to that, especially during this time of year.”