Citing deteriorating market conditions in the housing and building industry, Craftmaster Manufacturing Inc. in Towanda announced Wednesday it is indefinitely laying off 46 operating employees at it mill at the end of March.
    The facility, which employs 650 people, is located in Wysox Township.
    CMI Vice President and Mill Manager Bob Andzulis also cited the reason for the layoffs as the increased costs of raw materials and fuel.
    “For many months, CMI has weathered this situation without a serious adjustment to our operation,” Andzulis said in a press release issued Wednesday. “Our volume held up longer than our competitors, and while things were slowing down for us, it has not been until recently that the situation changed for us. CMI can no longer continue to operate at current operating levels. Unfortunately, the actions that need to be taken will impact some of our employees and their families. This action is not being taken lightly, but also is unavoidable.”
    Bob Merrill, CMI president and CEO, said that although a number of actions need to be taken, CMI continues to be fundamentally sound.
    “We have a strong balance sheet, supportive owners, minimal debt and excellent prospects for growth,” he said. “We have done a very good job over the past two years gaining market share in the face of the worst decline in demand in 40 years. We have been able to do this because of our employees’ efforts, especially during this difficult situation.”
    According to Matthew Ameigh, CMI director of human resources, affected employees will be assisted with a variety of information pertaining to their current benefits.