AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE

Spirit Lake, Iowa-based Indian Motorcycle, an American brand of motorcycles owned and produced by automotive manufacturer Polaris, has announced the closure of its Osceola, Wisconsin, manufacturing plant by the end of 2026.

The closure of the manufacturing plant will impact 200 employees who produce motorcycle engines, powertrains, and other components for Polaris off-road vehicles and snowmobiles.

The decision appears to be related to a post acquisition sale of the majority stake in Polaris to Los Angeles, California-based private equity firm Carolwood LP. Engine manufacturing for the motorcycles will be consolidated in the Spirit Lake, Iowa, plant, which was included in the deal.

According to a company spokesperson, “Yesterday, we informed the Osceola team that we made the difficult decision to close the facility and will wind down operations over the next year. The closure is related to the company’s sale of Indian Motorcycle, which is expected to close in the first quarter. Polaris announced the deal with Los Angeles-based private equity firm Carolwood LP in October. Terms have not been disclosed, but Polaris will maintain a minority interest in the standalone Indian Motorcycle.

"Polaris will begin winding down Osceola operations in phases this summer. The company is offering outplacement services and relocation opportunities for employees. We recognize the difficulty this change will mean in the lives of employees, and we are committed to supporting them through this transition.”

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?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT WABASH NATIONAL SERVICES

Lafayette, Indiana-based Wabash National Services, a manufacturer of transportation and logistics products, including trailer bodies, structural composites, and components used throughout the commercial freight industry, has announced a companywide restructuring plan that includes the closure of its Goshen, Indiana, and Little Falls, Minnesota, facilities.

The Goshen facility closure will affect 144 employees, and the Little Falls facility closure will affect 56 employees.

Layoffs will be in phases starting in March 2026 and will be substantially completed by April 2026.

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?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT SMYTH COMPANIES

Eagan, Minnesota-based Smyth Companies, a provider of labeling and packaging solutions, has announced the closure of its Wilmington, Massachusetts, digital and UV Flexo pressure-sensitive label printing facility as part of a post-acquisition consolidation.

The closure will impact 69 employees, including press operators, digital die cutters, material handlers, and maintenance technicians, commencing March 1, 2026, and ending on July 1, 2026.

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?