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. 

According to PennLive, Custom Glass Solutions will close its manufacturing plant in Milford Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, resulting in the layoff of 105 employees. The facility is expected to shut down on April 30, with most layoffs occurring on or around that date, while a small number of employees will remain through 2026 based on job-specific needs. Four employees will be offered the opportunity to relocate to other company locations due to their specific jobs. The company also noted that affected workers may be eligible for a severance package. 
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According to CTPost, Rheem, a supplier of water heaters, boilers, heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment, will permanently lay off 76 workers at its Eemax plant located at 400 Captain Neville Drive in Waterbury, Connecticut. The layoffs are scheduled to occur between April 30 and July 30, as detailed in a WARN Act notice submitted to the state Department of Labor. Rheem plans to permanently lay off 76 workers at its Eemax plant at 400 Captain Neville Drive in Waterbury between April 30 and July 30. The affected employees are not represented by a union. 
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According to The Gazette, Whirlpool Corporation will lay off 650 employees at its Amana manufacturing facility in Middle Amana, Iowa, effective June 1. The plant, which produces refrigeration products for brands such as Amana, JennAir, KitchenAid, Maytag, and Whirlpool, is reducing its workforce by about one-third due to shifting consumer demand. In a recent quote, Chad Parks, external communications director for Whirlpool Corporation, said, “This is really about aligning to current market conditions driven by consumer demand, particularly as it relates to some of the appliances (refrigeration) made in Amana.” The company stated it will support affected employees with on-site HR services, a dedicated support line, and unemployment guidance through Iowa Workforce Development. 
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According to FOX Carolina, Proterra, a manufacturer of batteries for the electric vehicle industry, laid off 85 employees at its Greer, South Carolina, facility. The company attributed the layoffs to slower growth in the commercial vehicle market and described the action as a “strategic workforce reduction.” In a recent quote, a Proterra spokesperson said, “Proterra implemented a strategic workforce reduction on Thursday, March 6th, to align our operational capacity with current demand.” All affected employees received severance packages and outplacement support to assist with their transition. 
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According to the Montgomery Advertiser, Boeing will lay off 71 employees at its Huntsville, Alabama, facility effective April 18, as detailed in a recent WARN notice. This marks the third round of layoffs at the site in the past year, following earlier cuts of 158 and 128 employees. Boeing, which operates in aerospace and defense manufacturing, cited financial pressures and a narrowing of priorities as the reason for the workforce reduction. In a recent quote, a Boeing spokesperson said, “As of October 2024, the company has been working to ‘adjust [their] workforce levels to align with [their] financial reality and a more focused set of priorities.’”  
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