FERNDALE — ASB Greenworld is shutting down its Ferndale mulch plant at the end of June.

The company broke the news to the seven local employees Wednesday and confirmed it publicly on Friday. In fact, the European-based company is pulling out of the American market entirely.

“After four years of unfavorable business development, ASB Greenworld, Inc. will discontinue its activities in the U.S. retail market, which results in the closure of its mulch and soil plant in Ferndale, New York and Mattaponi, Virginia on June 30, 2016,” stated Managing Director of Marketing and Sales Michaela Aurenz Maldonado.

“The ASB Group Management has personally informed the seven affected employees in Ferndale on Wednesday, thanking them for their contribution and dedication to ASB Greenworld,” she added.

Presumedly as part of a package deal with the Virginia facility, the 19,000-square-foot plant and surrounding acreage has already been acquired by the Canadian-based Premier Tech Horticulture, best known for its PRO-MIX brand of peat moss.

However, Premier Tech only plans to keep the Virginia plant in operation.

“The property and equipment located in Ferndale will be sold to Premier Tech Horticulture, a Canadian company who does not intend to operate the plant in Ferndale,” said Maldonado.

Premier Tech could not be reached for comment at press time.

ASB Greenworld has occupied the Ferndale plant, which is in the Town of Bethel, for four years.

“We're very disappointed they're closing up shop here,” Bethel Supervisor Dan Sturm told the Democrat Friday.

He's hopeful Premier Tech will choose to keep the facility in operation, but if not, “we'll do everything we can to get someone in there.”