AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT FRUIT OF THE LOOM

Bowling Green, Kentucky-based Fruit of the Loom, a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway that manufactures clothing, particularly casual wear and underwear, has announced the closure of its Summerville, South Carolina distribution warehouse facility.

The closure will impact 119 employees and is scheduled for March 19, 2024. The closing process will take place over several months and be completed by July 1, 2024.

According to a company spokesperson, “As a global Company operating in a highly competitive marketplace, Fruit of the Loom, Inc., is constantly analyzing its business to ensure we remain as competitive as possible. After an extensive review of our distribution network, the decision was made to close the distribution center in Summerville, South Carolina, in support of a consolidation strategy.”

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?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT SLPT GLOBAL PUMP GROUP / SLW AUTOMOTIVE

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?

Sallisaw, Oklahoma-based SLPT Global Pump Group has announced that SLW Automotive, a manufacturer of automotive pump components and assemblies, will undergo a reduction in its workforce since the parent was acquired by China's Shenglong Automotive Powertrain System Co. Ltd., a leading company in the combustion engine and electric vehicle market.

The reduction in force will impact 192 employees, including 85 temporary workers.

According to a WARN notice filed with the Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development by Jeff Addison, SLPT's vice president and general manager for North America and Europe operations, “Due to a sale of a portion of SLW’s business in Sallisaw and the resulting corporate-wide reorganization, SLW will experience a reduction in its workforce and a number of employees of SLW will experience layoffs. This mass layoff is expected to be permanent,” he explained, adding that the overall number of affected workers would be 106 full-time employees and 85 temporary workers.

Addison admits the transition, no matter how seamless, comes with a certain amount of angst. 'It’s a change, and I don’t care who you are, including me, change is not easy,' he says. 'Our employees, we have to give them a lot of support and help them through this. We’re certainly having a lot of discussions with them, both formal and informal. We need to do all we can to help them.'"

"The sale of the Sallisaw property and building is a strategic action by SLW Automotive to focus the geographic footprint of the North America operations and grow the electric vehicle business. SLW Automotive recently acquired a design, development and manufacturing location in Warren, Mich., to be closer to strategic customers, says Leo Yulong, chairman of Shenglong Automotive Powertrain System Co."

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?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT MAHLE

Stuttgart, Germany-based Mahle, an automotive parts manufacturer, has announced that it will close its MAHLE Behr powertrain and air-conditioning components manufacturing facility in North Charleston, South Carolina by the end of 2024.

The closure will impact 466 employees.

It is believed that the decision was driven by the worldwide downturn in automotive manufacturing and the rise of electric vehicles in addition to increases in utilities, materials and labor costs.

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?