Richmond cabinet maker cutting 56 jobs

MasterBrand is cutting jobs in Richmond:

MasterBrand Cabinets Inc., of Richmond will eliminate its entire third-shift operations effective Sept. 14.

Fifty-six of the 293 employees at the Richmond location, 701 S. N St., were notified Wednesday morning, said Brenda Rosalez, manager for corporate communications.

MasterBrand is North America's second-largest maker of bath and kitchen cabinetry, she said.

"It was based on the industry and we had to make some difficult decisions," Rosalez said. "Anything you see regarding dynamics, whether or not it's up or down, affects our centers."

Besides making cabinets, the third shift's duties often varied, she said.

The company's 30-plus manufacturing and distribution plants across North America are also facing layoffs, Rosalez said. She would not comment on the other affected plants.

MasterBrand, which moved to Wayne County in 1998, plans to keep a second-shift maintenance crew in hopes of retaining some employees, she said.

"It would not be prudent to speculate on the future," Rosalez said about the number of employees the company wants to retain.

"We hope we are able to improve, but on industry dynamics it's something we would not like to speculate on."