AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT PETERSON BRANDS

Shelby, Michigan-based Peterson Brands, a major fruit processing and beverage supplier, has announced the permanent closure of its juice manufacturing plant in Fort Myers, Florida, by June 27, 2026.

The closure will affect 135 employees, the entire workforce of the facility, including positions from production operators to management.

It appears that the decision represents a rebalancing of the company's operations, as the plant was acquired in August 2024.

Change is constant, and it's coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, nor promises of a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT JORIKI

Toronto, Ontario-based Joriki, a contract beverage packager, has announced the abrupt closure of its packaging facility in Pittston, Pennsylvania.

The closure impacted 229 employees.

The financially struggling company noted that it had been working for several months, with the financial support from a major customer and primary lenders, on a going-concern transaction it thought would sustain operations at the Pittston plant and avoid job losses.

“Unfortunately, on Dec. 23, 2024, the potential buyer advised it did not intend to proceed with a transaction. Following this, Joriki’s major customer and lenders advised they would no longer fund Joriki’s ongoing operations. These events were sudden, dramatic, and unexpected and have led to a significant financial crisis that the company believes cannot be realistically addressed without implementing the facility closure.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?