Factory Fallout: Manufacturing layoffs from Dow, Plug Power, Harvard Biosciences and more

With political winds changing and global markets tightening, manufacturers are making tough decisions—and workers are feeling the impact. In this roundup, we chronicle the closures and cutbacks reverberating throughout the manufacturing sector. As uncertainty becomes the new normal, we examine how businesses and workers alike are navigating a rapidly changing industrial landscape.

Benchmark Electronics announced it would lay off 65 workers at its Phoenix, Arizona facility in a January 27 notice filed with the state. According to local news ABC15, the company confirmed the layoffs were part of a “regular strategic planning process.” The site currently employs 152 workers.

Dow Chemicals announced January 29 that it would lay off 4,500 employees as part of its “transform to outperform” business plan. In a statement released Thursday, the chemicals giant said it expected to spend between $600 to $800 million on severance for cutting roughly 4,500 employees, but that the new business plan would increase earnings before tax by $2 billion a year.

Plug Power laid off 74 workers at a manufacturing site in Houston, Texas, in order to cut costs and avoid a reverse stock split. According to local news site Hoodline, the layoffs are just the latest attempt by the hydrogen and fuel cell company to tamp down on expenses after putting out a formal restructuring program in spring 2025.

Harvard Biosciences announced January 29 it would close down its Holliston, Massachusetts factory and transfer its production there to an existing location in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In a press release, the company said it expected the move to save the company $3 million in 2027 and $4 million a year starting in 2028. The company did not specify how many employees the move would affect, but said the Holliston factory would continue running through the full year 2026.

Gathr Outdoors announced January 13 that it would close its Burnham, Maine, manufacturing site, affecting 115 employees. The factory makes cigar tips, golf tees and Lincoln Log toys. According to reporting from the New York Post, leadership at Lincoln Log’s parent company Basic Fun said the move would require the building toy to seek new production, likely at overseas factories. The closure was reportedly driven by falling demand.