Factory fallout: Manufacturing plant closures and layoffs from Texas Instruments, Conagra, Plug Power, 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.
According to CBS6 Albany, Plug Power, Inc., a manufacturer based in Slingerlands, New York, will lay off 261 employees across three locations due to economic reasons, with the majority affected at its Slingerlands facility. The layoffs are scheduled to begin on June 23, 2025, impacting 180 employees in Slingerlands, 79 in Latham, and 2 in Clifton Park. The affected employees are not represented by a union, according to the notice filed with the New York State Department of Labor.
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According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, medical device manufacturer Teleflex is closing its Maple Grove, Minnesota facility and will lay off 101 employees as part of the shutdown. Most laboratory and manufacturing operations at the Sycamore Court North site will end by July 2025, with the full closure expected by March 2026. The layoffs are scheduled to begin on July 1, and the affected employees are not part of a union.
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According to The Salt Lake Tribune, Texas Instruments, a semiconductor manufacturer, has laid off workers at its existing facility in Lehi, Utah, just months after receiving up to $1.61 billion in federal funding to build new factories. The layoffs are part of the company's strategy to "efficiently support our long-term operational plans." In a recent quote, the company said, “While we can’t share the number of employees impacted, we can share that it didn’t meet the threshold for a WARN Notice — well less than 33% of the workforce was impacted.”
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According to NJ.com, Barrette Outdoor Living Inc., a manufacturer of fencing, decking, and outdoor décor, plans to lay off 120 workers at its Galloway Township, New Jersey facility. The layoffs, effective July 1, are due to the discontinuation of the plant’s paint line operations. In a recent quote, Oldcastle APG, the parent company, said, “We are working with state, county, and local agencies to provide support and resources to the employees who will be most impacted by this change.”
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According to News Channel 3, Conagra Brands, a food packaging company, will close its facility in Fennville, Michigan, by the end of June 2025, resulting in 85 employees losing their jobs. The plant, which has operated in the community for nearly a century, is being shut down as part of the company’s broader operational strategy. In a recent quote, Dan Hare, spokesperson with Conagra Brands, said, “We have met with employees at our Fennville facility to inform them that we intend to close the facility by the end of June 2025. This decision was based on the need to operate our overall operations and facility footprint as effectively and efficiently as possible.”
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