Pulte Homes Concedes Depression: Closes Arizona Factory

01-12-2011 • AZcentral.com

The nation's largest homebuilder, PulteGroup Inc., is phasing out a manufacturing facility in the West Valley that ultimately will result in the loss of 280 jobs. Pulte Building Systems LLC is a Tolleson-based subsidiary of the publicly traded homebuilder that prefabricates and installs certain wood products used in home construction. PulteGroup, based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., has begun a gradual phase-out of the manufacturing operation. The West Valley facility will close in August, said Jacque Petroulakis, a local spokeswoman for PulteGroup, which builds Phoenix-area homes under three brands: Pulte Homes, Centex Homes and the Communities of Del Webb. Employees have been aware of the phase-out since October, Petroulakis said, although few layoffs have yet occurred. "These changes are unfortunate and never easy," she said. "Meanwhile, it was important for us to communicate the news to employees as soon as possible." Pulte Building Systems was created in 2003 to help boost homebuilding productivity in the Valley.