Factory fallout: Manufacturing plant closures and layoffs from Daimler Truck, GlaxoSmithKline, Wacker Chemical, 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 Spectrum News 1, Daimler Truck North America, LLC is laying off nearly 600 employees at its manufacturing plant in Mt. Holly, North Carolina, due to decreased orders and slower production. The layoffs affect 445 truck assemblers, as well as material handlers, painters, CTS technicians, and about 20 office workers including supervisors and engineers. Employees will continue to be paid through September 9, despite their last working day being July 18. The company indicated that the layoffs may be temporary but provided no further details.
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According to the Peoria Journal Star, LSC Communications Transport, LLC, the transportation division of a commercial printing company, will permanently lay off 180 workers at its Bolingbrook, Illinois, facility on September 5. The layoffs were reported to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity under the WARN Act and classified as a "mass layoff." The affected facility is located at 1000 Windham Parkway in Bolingbrook.
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According to CBC News, Ridgewood Industries, a Cornwall, Ont., furniture manufacturer, will shut down in September, resulting in the loss of 300 jobs. The closure is part of a “strategic shift” by parent company Dorel Industries and comes after 55 years of operation in the city. In a recent quote, CEO Martin Schwartz said, "It is the only feasible course of action to return to profitability." The plant’s closure has sparked concern among local officials and residents, with fears of broader economic impact tied to trade uncertainty and potential U.S. tariffs.
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According to MassLive, global biotechnology company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is laying off 150 employees as it ceases manufacturing operations at its Cambridge, Massachusetts facility. The layoffs will occur between October 4 and March 31, as one of GSK’s three Cambridge locations shifts to focus solely on research and development while manufacturing moves to an expanded facility in Marietta, Pennsylvania. In a recent quote, a GSK spokesperson said, “The Binney Street site continues to be an important facility in our R&D network, as part of our presence in the greater Boston area. We’re always focused on allocating resources to our priorities and making sure we have the right people in the right teams. These actions fit into that strategy.”
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According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Wacker Chemical Corp., a manufacturer of polysilicon used in solar panels and semiconductors, laid off approximately 90 employees—about 11% of its workforce—at its Bradley County plant in Charleston, Tennessee. The layoffs, effective July 11, are part of a strategic realignment due to a challenging market environment. In a recent quote, Chris Kowitz, president and CEO of Wacker Chemical Corp., said, "Making the decision to reduce our workforce was incredibly difficult, especially knowing the impact it has on our colleagues and their families. We are deeply grateful for the contributions these employees have made to our company."
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