AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT NICHIHA

Johns Creek, Georgia-based Nichiha, a manufacturer of fiber cement cladding for commercial and residential applications, including siding, wall panels, and roofing, has announced the closure of one of its Macon, Georgia, plants as part of a strategic restructuring.

The closure will impact 171 employees. The plant officially closes on December 5, 2025.

According to the company, “While this decision was extremely difficult, it is necessary to build a stronger foundation for long-term success. Nichiha USA remains committed to being a responsible corporate citizen in Macon-Bibb County for many years to come.”

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 BAKER & TAYLOR

Charlotte, North Carolina-based Baker & Taylor, a distributor of books to public and academic libraries, has announced it would begin shutting down operations, with full closure of the company by January 2026, due to a failed sale to Oak Brook, Illinois-based ReaderLink Distribution Services, the largest full-service distributor of hardcover, trade, and paperback books to non-trade channel booksellers in North America

The closure will impact 520 employees, including 318 employees in the B&T distribution center in Momence, Illinois. Sixty-two employees will remain until December 22, 2025, and a “post–wind down” group of three employees will be let go on January 3, 2026.

According to a company spokesperson, “Despite Baker & Taylor’s subsequent efforts, it was unsuccessful in seeking a path to continue its business operations. The closure of its facilities has resulted from the unforeseen termination of a sale transaction which was intended to convey Baker & Taylor’s assets and operations to a purchaser, and which would have resulted in the continuing employment of all Baker & Taylor employees.”

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 ADVANCED PRESSURE TECHNOLOGY

Napa, California-based Advanced Pressure Technology, a manufacturer of gas handling components, including flow devices, pressure regulators, and valves, has announced a permanent plant closure in Napa, California.

The closure will affect 237 employees, with layoffs to be completed by December 1, 2025.

According to the company, “AP Tech has had a significant slowdown in demand from key customers. One of the largest customers in China has accumulated 12 months of excess inventory and is actively canceling orders as well as exploring alternative suppliers. A significant portion of AP Tech’s customer base is outside of the U.S., where tariffs and shifting global trade policies continue to impact pricing and order volumes. Our proactive efforts to preserve jobs have not been enough. We have tried eliminating overtime, reallocating resources to try and stabilize operations, and an earlier mass layoff in July 2025.”

"Despite extensive efforts to streamline operations, the cost of maintaining the facility in California has remained higher than can be supported. The work being done in the Bay Area is being shifted to Indiana, where our parent company, SMC Corp., maintains its primary operations.

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?