Factory Fallout: Manufacturing layoffs from Vornado, Charles River, Fresenius USA 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.

Building Materials Manufacturing LLC announced in a January 26 WARN report with the state of Minnesota that it would close down its roofing materials factory in Minneapolis and lay off 120 employees, including workers represented by the Teamsters and the NCFO. The company declined to state any particular reasons for the closure, but noted that the Teamsters-represented employees have bumping rights they may be able to use to get jobs at the company’s warehouse in Maple Grove, Minnesota, which will remain operational.

Charles River Laboratories announced in a WARN notice filed with the state of Maryland that it would close a cell therapy contract development site in Hanover, Maryland, and lay off 20 employees there. In the WARN notice, the company said the facility was “not a strategic fit” as the company plans to restructure. According to Fierce Biotech, which covers the biotechnology industry, the announcement follows a third-quarter earnings report showing a sustained drop in revenue.

First Brands Group LLC., after previously announcing it would shut down its Eagle Machining facility in Fayette, Ohio on February 27, closed a month earlier than expected on January 27 due to “significant unforeseeable business circumstances.” The closure will lead to the permanent layoffs of 246 employees, at least 235 of whom have already been laid off. According to the updated notice filed with the state, the unexpected circumstances that led to the early closure included customers withholding payments and the failure of an attempted sale process. The layoffs include some employees represented by the United Auto Workers Local 1181.

Fresenius USA Manufacturing, Inc., announced in a February 4 WARN notice to the state of Ohio that it would lay off 54 employees starting April from its Oregon, Ohio manufacturing and logistics site, local news site WTOL 11 reported. According to the WARN notice, Fresenius said the layoffs were due to outsourcing the company’s logistics to Ryder System, Inc.

Vornado announced January 30 that it would close its Andover, Kansas manufacturing site and lay off 72 employees who work there, local news source KSNW reported February 3. The January 30 WARN notice from the manufacturer of heaters, humidifiers, fans and steamers didn’t specify a reason for the closure, and the company did not elaborate on a timeline for when layoffs would begin.