CONWAY, N.H. (AP) -Chuck Roast Equipment, an outdoor apparel company based in Conway, N.H., is closing next month.

Chuck Henderson, who founded the company when he was still in high school in 1969, said he is closing his retail store and factory.

He said about 14 employees will lose their jobs.

The number of employees is down from a high of 65 in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Chuck Roast made backpacks for L.L. Bean and Eastern Mountain Sports.

Henderson said his company just cannot compete with similar products being made for a fraction of the cost overseas.

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Information from: The Conway Daily Sun, http://www.mountwashingtonvalley.com

AP-ES-08-14-08 1419EDT