Jeld-Wen ending manufacturing operations at Gainesville plant

GAINESVILLE - An Oregon-based company is ending manufacturing operations at its plant in Gainesville.<br /> <br /> Based in Klamath Falls, Jeld-Wen, which makes windows and doors, will be turned into a sales and distribution office due to the current downturn in the housing industry, according to company spokeswoman Teri Cline.<br /> <br /> "This change will help Jeld-Wen maintain a presence in Gainesville, even though it is on a smaller scale," she said. <br /> <br /> The change in the facility's operational focus will result in 40 fewer jobs. Cline said the company does offer an employee assistance program. She said eight to 10 employees will stay on at the Murphy Boulevard plant once manufacturing operations stop.<br /> <br /> Jeld-Wen acquired the Gainesville plant, formerly called Seasonshield, in December 2004. <br /> <br /> Cline said the company will keep its equipment at the Gainesville plant, with the hope that it will be re-opened for full operation.<br /> <br /> "It is possible, and we are hoping that a strong uptick in the housing industry could restore the full assembly operation in the future," she said.

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