By Julie Huss
DERRY — A longtime wood products manufacturer has shut its doors as part of a business merger plan. Some 50 employees may be out of jobs.
Merrimack Valley Wood Products, a supplier of residential and commercial millwork based in Derry, is now part of Jackson Lumber and Millwork and will operate under the Jackson name.
The Merrimack facility on B Street in Derry will no longer be part of the operation, according to Jim Derderian, executive vice president of Merrimack Valley Wood Products.
"We look forward to this transition with the Jackson team," Derderian said Tuesday. "This is a strong family business with an excellent business sense and a commitment to the industry and community."
The decision to shut down Merrimack was a tough one and did not happen quickly, Derderian said. With business slowing down and the economy hit hard, the merger plan seemed a viable option.
Merrimack employees were told right after the holidays that the plant was shutting its doors, Derderian said. Some workers may find jobs with Jackson, possibly in its Raymond facility, where all manufacturing and assembly will be done. But others will lose their jobs.
Merrimack has been a fixture in Derry for more than 60 years, Derderian said. His father, James, founded the company on strong principles of community pride and hard work.
The company started in Methuen. In 1970, the family purchased the old Standard Sash and Door facility on Crystal Avenue in Derry. In the 1980s, the operation moved to B Street.
In the early years, Merrimack manufactured windows, interior and exterior door units, and other wooden products, Derderian said. At the height of business, the company employed about 100 workers.
With tough economic times taking their toll on the business, employee numbers decreased, especially during the last year.
"Things have been reduced down prior to the merger," Derderian said. "It was now down to about 50 or even less."
Al Torrisi, president of Jackson Lumber and Millwork, said merging with Merrimack would join the expertise of both organizations and help the company place itself in the front of the residential and commercial millwork world.
"Integrating some of the Merrimack Valley Wood Products staff, equipment, inventory and, most importantly, their many fine customers, will result in an economy of scale that will give us the competitive edge in the marketplace," Torrisi said.
But, for some Merrimack employees, losing the Derry plant is bittersweet.
Administrative assistant Joy Fully has worked at the Derry location for five years. She said it's sad to lose such a longtime family business.
She credited Derderian and his management for keeping the business strong for so many years. Fully added Derderian still spoke with Merrimack customers and made sure they had what they needed. And as of this week, she said all orders should be fulfilled and all Merrimack obligations met.
"And we are grateful for those customers and patrons for the last 60 years," she said.
For Derderian, the merger came at the right time as the company struggled through the faltering economy.
"The economic conditions have been very hard the past several years," he said. "We didn't see a change coming on the horizon. And we remained very concerned about all the personnel we have and feel happy some of the people will get placed."
Derderian said he plans to lease or sell the B Street building. He will continue to work in other family business ventures, including American Cabinet Company in Methuen.
Jackson Lumber and Millwork is based in Lawrence, and operates five locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
