MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake ProBuild store closed recently as part of the company's reductions nationwide.

The Moses Lake closure was termed a "market consolidation" in a company memo, as the Othello location remains open.

"This area of the country had more stores than we needed," explained company spokesperson Jennifer Thurman on Friday.

The Denver, Colo.-headquartered company is shuttering a total of 12 locations by Tuesday, according to the memo.

Other Washington state closures are in Granite Falls, Sedro Wooley, Coupeville and Bonney Lake, Thurman said.

Thurman said between eight to nine employees worked at the Moses Lake ProBuild. They were given the opportunity to relocate, but she didn't know the outcomes.

ProBuild provides building materials to residential and commercial builders.

"It is difficult to make the decision to close operations because we recognize the impact it will have on our employees and the communities which we serve," wrote ProBuild President/CEO Fred Marino in a company memo. "But this step is made to improve overall profitability of the company, and to retain jobs and more effectively serve our customers across the country."

Other company closures are occurring in Yorkville, Ill., Westmont, Ill., Columbia, S.C., South Fork, Colo., Cherry Hill, N.J., Greensboro, N.C. and Fredricksburg, Va.

"ProBuild is facing tough decisions like this all around the country as we continue to deal with a struggling economy," Marino stated. "But we are confident that by making these difficult decisions now, ProBuild will ultimately be better positioned to weather the downturn and eventually thrive when market conditions become more favorable."