AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT MANNINGTON MILLS

Salem, New Jersey-based Mannington Mills, a flooring manufacturer, has announced the closure of its Dalton, Georgia, and Chatsworth, Georgia, facilities, as the company exits the residential carpet industry to focus on the growth and innovation of its residential hard surface offerings, hard and soft surface commercial portfolio, and Amtico International business. Operations at both facilities will wind down by the end of the first quarter of 2026

The closures will affect 211 employees, including 150 in Dalton and 61 in Chatsworth, with layoffs scheduled for December 27, 2025.

According to CEO Tom Pendley, “The departure of Invista and the Stainmaster brand from the carpet fibers business, and the continued consumer shift to resilient flooring, has forced us to reevaluate residential carpet in our portfolio. This has led us to make the difficult decision to exit residential carpet. Our associates in Dalton have shown great dedication, and we are incredibly grateful for their loyalty. While we are confident that this decision is in the best interest of Mannington Mills’ long-term future, it is an extremely hard one, as we understand the impact it has on our people.”

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, 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 LL FLOORING

Richmond, Virginia-based LL Flooring (formerly Lumber Liquidators Flooring), a retailer of hard-surface flooring, including hardwood, laminate, vinyl plank, tile, bamboo, and cork flooring, as well as flooring tools and accessories, has announced that it will shut down its operations and close all 424 locations nationwide.

Approximately 2,000 employees will be impacted, including for 300 workers at its headquarters and 119 employees at its distribution center in Sandston, Virginia.

A spokesperson issued a statement that noted, “This is not the outcome that any of us had hoped for. We have been working hard to pursue a going-concern sale of LL Flooring. We have actively negotiated with multiple bidders, but these discussions have not resulted in an offer with the necessary financing that would maximize the value of LL Flooring. As a result, it is with a heavy heart that we must let you know that we are going to begin the process of winding down LL Flooring’s business and closing all of our stores.”

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 bad 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?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT SHAW INDUSTRIES (09/28/24)

SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 - 288 EMPLOYEES IN DALTON, GEORGIA

The company announced that it would close a 288-worker residential fiber plant in Dalton, Georgia, as part of its plans to consolidate its manufacturing footprint and modernize its residential fiber manufacturing processes.

According to a company spokesperson, “These decisions are never made lightly. The associates at Plant 6 have been instrumental in serving our customers by creating exceptional-quality products, and we are committed to supporting them during this transition.”

JULY 7, 2024 — 203 EMPLOYEES IN SOUTH CAROLINA

The company announced the layoff of 203 employees on August 7, 2024, at its Columbia, South Carolina 8S facility as part of a companywide personnel realignment.

According to a company spokesperson, “These decisions are never made lightly. The associates at Plant 8S have been instrumental in creating exceptional quality products, and we are committed to supporting them during this transition.”

OCTOBER 2, 2023 — Original post…

Dalton, Georgia-based Shaw Industries Group, suppliers of carpet, resilient, hardwood, tile, and stone flooring products and synthetic turf, announced more plant closures, this time in Santa Fe, California, and Yuma, Arizona.

The closure will impact 250 Arizona employees and 291 California employees. The company reported that it is scaling back operations at the two facilities and will cease operations in the first quarter of 2024. Operations will be shifted to company plants in Georgia.

According to a company spokesperson, "The adjustments will help ensure the company is poised for the long term."

Other plant closures are taking place in Decatur, Tennesee (336 employees)where the company spokesperson noted, These decisions are never made lightly."

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 bad 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. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?