AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT GKN Automotive

London, England-based GKN Automotive, a manufacturer of driveline components, all-wheel drive systems, and plug-in hybrid systems for the automotive industry, has announced the restructuring of its North American manufacturing operations and the closure of its Timberlake, North Carolina Roxboro manufacturing facility.

The closure will impact 247 employees.

A company spokesperson noted, "GKN Automotive will consolidate its North American half-shaft machining and assembly operations in Alamance, North Carolina, in a phased approach during 2024. Recent investment in both Alamance and our Sanford Precision Forging facility has created a full End-2-End production facility that will optimize support and delivery for customers producing both internal combustion engines (ICE) and electric vehicles (EVs) and increase our competitiveness in the region to accommodate potential growth. As a result, we have taken the difficult decision to close our Roxboro facility. Approximately half of Roxboro’s 475 employees will have the opportunity to transfer to our Alamance, North Carolina site and our immediate priority is to support all affected employees through this process."

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 Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois-based Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, part of a nationwide network of faith-based social service providers, has announced a personnel realignment in response to an "increasingly complex and uncertain government funding environment” affecting services such as child care, youth programs, behavioral health counseling, senior care, adult protection, veteran services, and call centers.

The personnel realignment will impact 300 employees, including 280 who work with the affected government contracts and 20 in administrative roles.

According to Sally Blount, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, “After careful evaluation and discussion, we have decided to reduce our footprint as a government contractor — in order to increase the time, attention, and resources we devote to the services we are uniquely equipped to offer as a private humanitarian organization. Over the last decade, navigating the government services sector has grown more complex, and funding has not kept up with the high rates of inflation. That means that many contracts no longer cover their direct costs, much less the increasing costs of administering them."

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 BOWFLEX

Vancouver, Washington-based BowFlex, a manufacturer of fitness training equipment, has announced a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization and a sale of substantially all of its assets to Johnson Health Tech Retail.

The bankruptcy will impact 202 employees commencing April 19, 2024.

CEO Jim Barr noted, "As a result of the post-pandemic environment and persistent macroeconomic headwinds, we conducted a comprehensive strategic review and determined this was the best path forward for our Company. We are fortified by the potential partnership with Johnson Health Tech and encouraged by the multiple parties that have indicated an interest in bidding for our Company.”

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?