Freight-related layoffs across North America continue to mount, with companies citing economic uncertainty, tariffs, declining demand and rising production costs as reasons for the job cuts.
There have been 5,608 job cuts over the past several weeks, according to media reports and Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notices.
Since Jan. 1, almost 23,000 freight-related job cuts have been announced, impacting workers in autos, food distribution, manufacturing, transportation and logistics.
Online retailers hit hard
Chewy Inc., an online pet supply retailer, plans to cut 674 jobs at its fulfillment center in Dallas, starting May 10.
The company did not specify a reason for the layoffs in state filings. It opened a 663,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Dallas in 2017.
Chewy is dually headquartered in Plantation, Florida, and Boston. The company has over 18,000 employees.
In addition to Dallas, Chewy has fulfillment centers in Phoenix; Louisville, Kentucky; and Pittston, Pennsylvania.
Online meal kit provider HelloFresh announced it is closing a distribution center in Grand Prairie, Texas, and eliminating 273 jobs.
Staffing agency ManpowerGroup US Inc., a contractor for HelloFresh, announced earlier this year it was closing a distribution facility March 28 in Irving, Texas, and laying off 173 workers.
Berlin-based HelloFresh has seen reduced customer demand for its products over the past year. HelloFresh operates in 16 countries and has over 21,000 employees.
ManpowerGroup US Inc. recently announced it was closing three distribution facilities in Illinois that it operated for Factor, an online meal kit provider and subsidiary of HelloFresh.
Manufacturing companies lose over 1,200 jobs
The manufacturing industry in the U.S., Canada and Mexico saw widespread layoffs including auto parts suppliers, farm equipment and railcar manufacturers, and a semiconductor chip maker.
Milgard Manufacturing announced it was closing its window manufacturing plant in Ventura, California, and laying off 397 workers.
Officials for Milgard told the Ventura County Star they are shifting production from the California plant to a facility in Phoenix.
Tacoma, Washington-based Milgard Manufacturing has 1,400 employees and facilities in Sacramento and Temecula, California, and Prescott Valley, Arizona.
Trinity Rail has laid off about 300 workers from a railcar factory in Sabinas, Mexico, according to media outlets in Mexico.
Trinity Rail told Mexican authorities it will temporarily lay off 15% of its Sabinas workforce while the company adjusts to slower demand in the market.
Trinity Rail, based in Dallas, is part of Trinity Industries, a provider of rail transportation products and services in North America.
In addition to its factory in Sabinas, Trinity Rail operates a factory in Monclova, Mexico.
Sabinas is about 79 miles from Eagle Pass, Texas, the primary border crossing Trinity uses for railcar deliveries from its manufacturing facilities in Mexico, according to a news release.
Related: Layoffs hit over 14,300 workers tied to freight sectors in US, Canada, Mexico
Trinity Rail has furloughed about 300 workers from a railcar factory in Sabinas, Mexico. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)
Winnipeg, Canada-based Eascan Automation Inc. recently laid off about 23 employees, as demand for its products is slowing amid uncertainty about U.S. tariffs, company officials said.
Jason Andres, general manager of Eascan Automation Inc., said there has been a slowdown that began around the time Donald Trump was reelected president.
The company, which provides custom-built machines to manufacturers, has lost $3 million to $4 million in orders, Andres said.
“A lot of companies are saying, ‘OK, we don’t need a robot this year. We can wait another year,’” Andres told CBC.
CompanyCityTypeReason Layoff dateNumber of layoffsChewy Inc. DallasOnline retailer of pet food and pet-related productsClosing fulfillment centerJune 28674Amscan Inc. Chester, New YorkParty supply manufacturerClosing distribution center/Chapter 11 bankruptcyMarch 21471Milgard ManufacturingVentura, CaliforniaWindow manufacturerPlant closureMay 27397Trinity RailSabinas, MexicoRailcar manufacturing, leasingRestructuringMarch 28300HelloFreshDistribution warehouse closing in Grand Prairie, TexasOnline meal kit providerCompany restructuringMay 13273SPS TechnologiesJenkintown, PennsylvaniaAerospace parts makerFire damaged plant Feb. 17May 18251MicrochipColorado Springs, ColoradoSemiconductor chip manufacturerRestructuringMay 6238FedExLebanon, TennesseeParcel carrierUnspecifiedMay 30217Akasol Inc.Hazel Park and Warren, MichiganEV battery manufacturerClosing two plantsJuly 31188Lippert Components Inc.Chesaning, MichiganAuto parts manufacturerPlant closingJune 30159Evergreen PackagingKalamazoo, MichiganFood and beverage packaging makerPlant closureApril153Meati FoodsThornton, ColoradoFood producerPlant closureMay 6150ManpowerGroup US Inc.Aurora, Burr Ridge, Lake Zurich, IllinoisFood supply chain services providerDecline in demandMarch 28138Forvia-FaureciaApodaca, MexicoAutomotive parts supplierDecline in demandMarch 30120Barrette Outdoor LivingEgg Harbor City, New JerseyManufacturerUnspecifiedJuly 1120RyderHutchins, TexasTransportation providerUnspecifiedMarch 6110Summit Delivery SolutionsTaunton, Massachusetts Amazon delivery service partnerUnspecifiedMarch 31101Penske LogisticsAurora, IllinoisTransportation providerUnspecifiedMarch 3196National Distribution CentersFairburn, GeorgiaSupply chain logistics providerClosing distribution centerApril 1990AmazonManassas, VirginiaE-commerce companyClosing delivery stationMay 1388FedExJacksonville, FloridaParcel carrierLost contractMay 3187Conagra Brands Inc.Fennville, MichiganConsumer packaged goods companyClosing pie filling plantJune 3085Bell-Carter FoodsCorning, CaliforniaOlive producer, supplierUnspecifiedMay 984Primo Brands Inc. Layoffs at four facilities in California and one in FloridaBeverage supplierRestructuringJuly 182Quiet Logistics Inc.ChicagoTransportation, logistics providerUnspecifiedMay 2376MaerskPerris, CaliforniaShipping and logistics companyLost contractApril 3075National Distribution CentersOrlando, FloridaSupply chain logistics providerClosing distribution centerJune 3073Gilster-Mary Lee Corp.Momence, IllinoisFood producer, supplierPlant closureMarch 1169Stockton RecyclingStockton, CaliforniaBeverage container recyclingCompany sold, plant closingMay 469Hatco Inc.Longview, TexasHat manufacturerCeasing operationsMarch 668Oxbow International Corp.Clear Lake, WisconsinFarm equipment manufacturerRestructuringJune 668Country Pure FoodsHoustonJuice maker, supplierClosing production facilityMarch 1260Animal Supply Company LLCSuwanee, GeorgiaPet food maker, distributorDecline in demandMarch 457The HC Cos.Sparks, NevadaPlant containers, commercial planters manufacturerUnspecifiedJune 1357DHLTaunton, MassachusettsParcel carrierUnspecifiedAug. 852Pretium PackagingJacksonville, FloridaPlastic container manufacturerPlant closureJune 3048Southern Glazer’s Wine & SpiritsLafayette, LouisianaWine distributorRelocation of distribution center May 1448Peco Pallet Inc.ChicagoPallet maker, providerPlant closureMarch 1946Eascan Automation Inc.Winnipeg, CanadaIndustrial robotics manufacturerDecline in demandMarch 2623Mauser Packaging SolutionsBaltimoreIndustrial packaging manufacturerPlant closureMay 1622GSC Wholesale LLCHoustonTrucking companyOutsourcing positionsApril 3021Nogin Commerce LLCNew YorkE-commerce technology providerUnspecifiedMarch 1620San Jose Distribution ServicesSan Jose, CaliforniaTransportation, warehousing providerCeasing operationsApril 3017Cross Docking & Warehouse ServicesNogales, ArizonaTransportation, warehousing providerUnspecifiedMarch 2410Layoffs continue to impact freight-related jobs across North America.
Related: Layoffs hit more than 7,100 workers tied to freight industry in US, Canada
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