Factory fallout: Manufacturing plant closures and layoffs from Jeld-Wen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Wabash, 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 the Tennessee Lookout, Adient, a manufacturer of automotive seats, will permanently close its plants in Henderson and Maury counties, Tennessee, by June 27, affecting more than 400 workers. Layoffs began April 17 for 95 employees at the Columbia facility in Maury County and April 21 for 320 employees at the Lexington plant in Henderson County. The closures were confirmed through notices submitted to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Learn more
According to The Oregonian, door and window manufacturer Jeld-Wen plans to close its factory in Chiloquin, Oregon, by the end of the year, resulting in the layoff of all 128 employees. The company notified state employment officials that layoffs will begin on June 30 and conclude by December. In a recent quote, Katie Lynkins, company spokesperson, said, “While decisions that impact people are never easy, we make them only after careful consideration and with the understanding that our actions today are necessary to position Jeld-Wen for long-term success.”
Learn more
According to the Lafayette Journal & Courier, Wabash, a manufacturer of transportation equipment, conducted another round of companywide layoffs on Wednesday due to a $55 million revenue shortfall in the first quarter. The company did not disclose the number or locations of affected employees but stated the layoffs are part of a labor “rightsizing” effort. In a recent quote, Senior Vice President and CFO Patrick Keslin said, "Overall demand did not fill in as expected in some of our equipment businesses that experienced quick turnarounds from order to shipping, leaving us overexposed to labor costs in those areas during the quarter. We have taken action to rightsize direct labor and production support costs going forward."
Learn more
According to FirstWord Pharma, Bristol Myers Squibb, a pharmaceutical company, will close its viral vector production facility in Libertyville, Illinois, as part of a consolidation of its cell therapy manufacturing operations. The company will shift vector production to its Devens, Massachusetts facility to support a more cost-effective and scalable manufacturing model. In a recent quote, a BMS spokesperson said, “Our strategy to internalise vector production remains a top priority, and over the past year, we have made significant advancements with vector production, which now allow us to…shift this work to another…site.” The closure aligns with broader restructuring efforts aimed at achieving $3.5 billion in total savings by the end of 2027.
Learn more
According to CBS News, Gannett Publishing Services, which prints the Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News, and about 30 other newspapers, is permanently closing its production facility in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The closure will result in the layoff of 109 employees, with most layoffs occurring around August 4, though they will begin July 1 and continue through January. The decision, detailed in a WARN Act notice filed May 1, will shift newspaper production to other facilities.
Learn more