Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Jessica Mador
St. Paul, Minn.

Andersen eliminates 52 positions at Wis. plant

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

The Wisconsin plant produces the 200 Series, a mid-priced line of windows and doors designed for large volume builders. Company spokesperson Maureen McDonough said this sector of the housing market has been hardest hit by the economic downturn.

Affected employees will be offered a severance package and other help with job transition. The Bayport, Minn.-based company says it's also partnering with the state of Wisconsin to coordinate additional resources and retraining services.

The housing market has seen its third year of steady decline, from a high of more than 2 million new housing starts nationwide to about 800,000 in 2008. Experts are forecasting additional declines of up to 15 percent for 2009. McDonough said the credit crunch is also behind the decision to cut jobs at the plant.

"People don't have the wherewithall to get the loans if they do want to purchase a house," McDonough said. "There is a lot of excess inventory of new and existing homes and there is a lack of confidence that home values have hit their bottom so a lot of people are just waiting."

The cuts represent about 20 percent of the Menomenie plant's workforce. Andersen also recently announced it plans to close its North Carolina factory in December, one of the 22 factories the company has nationwide.

---

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)