A Saint-Gobain subsidiary in New York specializing in refractory materials, digital solutions and lifecycle services for the glass manufacturing industry will end production of one of its product lines, resulting in the loss of 79 union and salaried jobs.

According to reporting by the Observer, Saint-Gobain’s SEFPRO facility in Falconer, New York, is shutting down its alumina-zirconia-silica line. Production is expected to end in August. SEFPRO, formerly known as Monofrax, manufactures fused-cast refractories, including high-zirconia, alumina and chrome products used in glass melting furnaces and other high-temperature industrial applications.

“This will not impact every product line at Falconer, and the facility will continue the production of its remaining product lines,” Saint-Gobain officials tell the Observer. “This decision comes after careful consideration and evaluation of Saint-Gobain’s core business goals and is in line with the company’s mission and strategy. The company values and thanks all the employees impacted by this decision for their hard work and is committed to supporting these employees as they transition out of the business.”

Saint-Gobain, which posted its first quarter 2026 sales analysis in late April, reports that sales decreased by 2.3% in the first quarter of 2026, impacted by unfavorable weather conditions in January and February in North America and Europe. Its sales were down 11.3% in North America during the quarter, and it anticipates continued marked weakness in North America during the first half of 2026.