Mass. window and door factory closes

FALL RIVER, Mass.—Silver Line Building Products LLC ended manufacturing at its Fall River factory on Friday, laying off 287 workers.

Silver Line makes vinyl windows and doors. Its parent company is Andersen Corp.

“It’s terrible. But it’s very stereotypical and it’s a sign of these tough economic times,“ said employee David Cabral.

The company built its facility in the Fall River industrial park about 10 years ago.

“I liked my work very much. I had a happy family,“ said employee Lucy Ramos.

The company blames tough economic times and the affect on the housing industry. With other factories around the country, the company said it has more manufacturing capacity than it needs for the foreseeable future.

“Through the winter months, sales were very, very gloomy. But once things started to pick up in the spring, we thought we’d make it to at least to through another fall and winter,“ Cabral said.

The company said a small crew of sales and distribution employees will stay for a short time.

The workers will not get severance pay, but will get training and education options from the state of Massachusetts.