Factory fallout: Manufacturing plant closures and layoffs from Nissan, Georgia-Pacific, Quality Metalcraft, 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 NHK, Japanese automaker Nissan Motor, which produces vehicles, plans to cut approximately 11,000 additional jobs, bringing the total expected reduction to around 20,000 employees, or 15 percent of its global workforce. The company also announced it will abandon plans to build an EV battery factory in Kitakyushu City, western Japan, and will shut down three plants in Thailand and other unspecified locations. These decisions follow a previous plan to reduce global production capacity by 20 percent and eliminate 9,000 jobs. The move comes amid lower-than-expected unit sales, prompting further restructuring efforts.
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According to CBS News, motor vehicle parts manufacturer Quality Metalcraft is permanently laying off 41 of its 351 employees at its Livonia, Michigan facility. The layoffs began on April 21 and were disclosed in a WARN Act notice filed with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. The notice stated, “The company has sought to find solutions that would allow it to continue its business operations without a plant closing or mass layoff.” These workforce reductions reflect efforts to manage ongoing operational challenges without fully closing the facility.
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According to KARE 11, Apple Valley Foods, a leading pie manufacturer in North America, will permanently close its facility in Chaska, Minnesota, this summer, resulting in approximately 95 employee layoffs. The plant, located at 300 Lake Hazeltine Drive, is scheduled to begin layoffs on July 11. The closure follows a previous workforce reduction of 22 employees announced in 2024.
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According to Syracuse.com, Fulton Cos., a Central New York manufacturer of boilers, laid off 32 local support personnel due to financial strain caused by rising tariff costs. The layoffs did not affect any production workers. The company produces boilers in Pulaski and serves customers globally across industries such as healthcare, education, and food processing. CEO Bram Palm cited the potential for a 13-fold increase in tariff expenses as a key factor in the decision.
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Georgia-Pacific announced plans to permanently close its Cedar Springs Containerboard mill in Georgia later this year, with most of the approximately 535 positions eliminated by August 1, 2025. All jobs at the mill will ultimately be impacted. The company cited the facility’s long-term competitiveness as the reason for the closure. Georgia-Pacific will continue limited production to meet customer commitments and support affected employees during the transition.
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