Factory Fallout: Manufacturing layoffs from Honda, Curia Global, Yokohama Tire Manufacturing and more

Two weeks ago, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that job openings fell by 11,000 to 403,000 jobs in November of last year, indicating that manufacturing — though still slight on needed workers — is cutting back on new hires. The same report found the hire rate in manufacturing is nearing a ten-year low as industrial companies keep their belts tightened against unexpected economic conditions. Read on to find five companies taking further steps to reduce headcount to cope with the cutthroat world of business manufacturing.

Yokohama Tire Manufacturing will cut almost 400 workers at its Salem, Virginia tire factory this year, according to local news site WDBJ7. The company said it is sunsetting certain products and facing reduced demand for others, and that hourly employees will receive benefits according to their union agreement with the United Steel Workers local 1023. A company statement added that the Salem plant is “not well-equipped” for updates that would enable it to be updated for future products. Company notices say that employees can expect production to end in July of this year, followed by an official plant closure September 17, coinciding with the end of Yokahama’s collective bargaining agreement with USW.

Curia Global will lay off 81 people this year as it prepares to close one of its two manufacturing locations in Massachusetts, according to local news site Masslive. According to a WARN notice filed with the state on January 14, the pharmaceutical research company plans to close its Burlington factory between March 10 and June 1, 2026.

Honda Motor Co. announced January 20 that it would close down its Fuel Cell System Manufacturing site in Brownstown, Michigan, as it closes the joint venture it owned the company together with General Motors. In a statement, Honda said it had agreed with GM to discontinue fuel cell production there and develop its own fuel cell technology independently. According to a Honda release from January 2024, the 70,000-square foot joint venture site had created about 80 jobs. In its 2025 statement, Honda did not mention if FCSM workers would receive an opportunity to continue work on Honda’s own fuel cell technology.

Eptam West Precision Metals filed a WARN report with the state of Colorado that it would close down its metal machinery manufacturing, laser cutting and welding site on the east side of Colorado springs, local news site KOAA 5 reported January 21. The report indicates that 134 workers at the site will be laid off starting March.

Mid Maine CPL, a bakery in Lewiston, Maine that delivered to area Dunkin’ franchises, abruptly closed in early January, according to local new source WMTW 8 ABC. Company leadership reportedly sent employees a letter indicating the factory, which started production in 2001, had become too expensive to maintain. Employees were also told they would receive pay for unused leave, a bonus equal to about one week’s average pay, offers to transfer to other factories and a neutral reference. The Maine Deparment of Labor, WMTW says, has connected with the company to offer its own services to the workers.