Factory fallout: Manufacturing plant closures and layoffs from GM, Spirit AeroSystems, Hubbell, 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 GM Authority, General Motors has implemented staff reductions at its Bowling Green Assembly plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the exclusive production site for the C8 Corvette. A total of 31 employees were placed on Indefinite Layoff Status, effective April 28, 2025, with their last working day on April 25. The layoffs follow recent and upcoming plant downtimes tied to inventory control and line upgrades for the C8’s widebody exterior panels. Notices were issued to affected United Auto Workers members on April 17, confirming the anticipated job cuts.
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According to the Belleville News-Democrat, Hubbell Inc., a multinational manufacturer of electrical boxes, will close its Wiegmann manufacturing plant in Freeburg, Illinois, resulting in 110 layoffs. The company will transfer the plant’s operations to its existing facilities in Aurora, Illinois, and Juarez, Mexico. Of the 110 employees affected, 98 are members of the International Association of Sheet Metal Air Rail Transportation Workers Union, with layoffs scheduled to begin on September 1 and conclude by early to mid-2026. The closure marks a significant loss for the community, as the plant has operated in Freeburg since 1928.
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According to KMBC News, Briggs & Stratton, a manufacturer of gasoline engines and outdoor power equipment, will permanently lay off 90 workers due to the closure of two Billy Goat manufacturing facilities in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. The layoffs will begin on July 2, 2025, and will affect employees at 1803 Southwest Jefferson St. and 1825 Southwest Market St. The affected facilities produce commercial-grade lawn care and debris management products under the Billy Goat brand.
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Smurfit Westrock plc will permanently close its coated recycled board (CRB) mill in St. Paul, Minnesota, and discontinue production at its containerboard mill in Forney, Texas, though the specialty coating facility in Forney will remain operational. The company has also begun consultations to close two converting facilities in Germany. These closures will impact approximately 650 employees across the U.S. and Germany. In a recent quote, Tony Smurfit, President & Group Chief Executive Officer, said, “While closing facilities is never an easy decision, it is based on a realistic expectation of current and future capacity needs, operating costs and an unrelenting focus on improving our business. We are very grateful for the significant contributions made by the teams at these locations over the years and we will do all we can to support them throughout this process.”
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According to the Wichita Eagle, Spirit AeroSystems, a manufacturer of aircraft components, will furlough between 250 and 350 employees at its Wichita facility for approximately 30 days starting May 12 due to a parts backlog. The affected workers are tied to the 737 fabrication and 737 composite fabrication programs, which have seen an overproduction of thrust reverser components. In a recent quote, Joe Buccino, spokesperson, said, “Two programs, 737 fabrication, and 737 composite fabrication, it’s tied to a thrust reverser, we’ve overproduced and accumulated a parts surplus over the last several years,” he said. “We have to reduce inventory.”
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