AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT STANLEY BLACK & DECKER

New Britain, Connecticut-based Stanley Black & Decker, the iconic tool, hardware, and appliance manufacturer, is continuing its restructuring to consolidate its operations and will close its Gallatin, Tennessee, plant between August 28, 2026, and December 30, 2026.

The closure will impact 116 employees.

According to a company spokesperson, “As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the business and meet the evolving needs of our customers and end users, Stanley Black & Decker has made the strategic decision to close its Gallatin, Tennessee, site. This action reflects a forward-looking approach to aligning our supply chain network with market demand and the future needs of the business. We are committed to supporting impacted employees through this transition, including exploring employment opportunities at other Stanley Black & Decker facilities and operations, as well as providing severance and job placement support services.”

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?

LAYOFFS: STANLEY BLACK & DECKER (06/11/24)

Am I Next? Consolidation at Stanley Black & Decker

JUNE 11, 2024 — 224 NORTH CAROLINA EMPLOYEES

The company has disclosed the closure of its Kannapolis, North Carolina Distribution Center, laying off about 224 workers. in five phases starting on August 5, 2024, and ending on Oct. 10, 2025.

According to a company spokesperson, "As part of Stanley Black & Decker’s business transformation strategy launched in 2022, and in an effort to optimize its footprint and better serve customers, Stanley Black & Decker in 2023 announced changes to its manufacturing and distribution network – this included U.S. site expansions, site transformations into manufacturing centers of excellence, and site consolidation."

MARCH 18, 2024 — PLANT CLOSURE WITH 192 LOST JOBS

The company has announced the closure of its Fort Mill, South Carolina manufacturing plant, with 192 employees losing their jobs. The Fort Mill plant makes DEWALT cordless power tools and other personal power tools.

According to a spokesperson, "As part of Stanley Black & Decker’s business transformation strategy launched in 2022, and in an effort to optimize its footprint and better serve customers, the Company in 2023 announced changes to its manufacturing and distribution network – this included U.S. site expansions, site transformations into manufacturing centers of excellence, and site consolidation."

Layoffs will commence on May 10, 2024, and consist of four phases from May through the end of this year.

MARCH 20, 2023 — OPERATIONAL RESTRUCTURING

Stanley Black & Decker will shutter its Fort Worth, Texas factory and lay off 175 as part of an operational realignment. Work performed at the Cheraw, South Carolina plants will be transferred to two company plants in Tennessee. The South Carolina plant has 182 employees.

More plant closures are expected as a cost-cutting initiative.

OCTOBER 2, 2022 — 1,000 LAYOFFS

As part of the company’s cost-cutting initiative, the company has announced a major reduction in headcount. The reduction will impact 1,000 employees, mostly in financial and information technology functions.

The company, whose brands include DeWalt and Craftsman tools, is targeting up to $200 million in costs by the end of 2022.

JANUARY 28, 2022 — UNSPECIFIED LAYOFFS

In a statement, Stanley Black & Decker said they've been taking steps to align their cost structure with the current environment, which has resulted in a "small percentage of employees being let go from the company."

There is no indication of the number of layoffs, but media reports suggest they are substantial.

DECEMBER 10, 2019 — Original Post

New Britain, Connecticut-based Stanley Black & Decker, the iconic tool and hardware manufacturer, is continuing its restructuring to consolidate its activities and will be laying off 140 employees in Greenfield, Connecticut, between January 23, 2019, and February 7, 2020. Positions include positions in assembly and production, shipping and receiving, maintenance and facilities, quality, engineers, supply chain, human resources, IT, and operations management. According to a company spokesperson, the decision was driven by the company’s desire to “attempt to strategically consolidate worldwide operations into few facilities.”

In a call with investment analysts, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Donald Allan noted in a call with analysts that the company was targeting $200 million in annual cost reduction and that this would be achieved “from headcount actions across the company as well as executing some footprint rationalization opportunities.” Further noting that decisions were being driven by “currency issues, tariffs and a softness in the industrial and emerging markets.”

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. 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?