AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT SUPERNAL

Irvine, California-based Supernal, a Hyundai Motor Group company developing eVTOL aircraft, has announced an 80% reduction in force at its California facilities, including its engineering headquarters, which serves as the hub for its air mobility engineering operations.

The reduction affected 296 employees, leaving approximately 80 employees to execute a long-term strategy for EV vertical-lift aircraft development.

According to a spokesperson, “This decision is a strategic pivot to ensure our staffing and cost structures are optimized for the long-term delivery of our market-aligned aircraft design. The Hyundai Motor Group remains committed to the Advanced Air Mobility business as part of its future mobility vision, and Supernal will continue to serve as the group’s dedicated AAM execution arm for aircraft development. Supernal’s focus “remains on stabilizing the company, shaping a new business model, and developing a commercially viable aircraft. All of the company’s work would be consolidated to its Irvine headquarters."

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? SPUDNIK EQUIPMENT COMPANY

Blackfoot, Idaho-based Spudnik Equipment Company, an agricultural machinery company specializing in potato, sugarbeet, and specialty vegetable equipment, has announced a reduction in force to match market conditions.

The reduction will impact 100 employees.

According to a company statement, "Spudnik Equipment Company is providing an update on changes to our operations and workforce. Over the past decade, we have grown significantly to meet customer demand and support the farmers who rely on our equipment. Recently, however, low commodity prices and rising input costs have created sustained challenges across agriculture, reducing purchasing activity and overall demand."

"Based on current conditions, we expect 2026 to remain difficult for the industry. In response, we are aligning production with demand by slowing factory output rather than building excess inventory or maintaining unused capacity. While production levels are being adjusted, our commitment to customer support remains strong. We will continue stocking our sales and service centers and work to reduce lead times for Spudnik-manufactured parts to help minimize customer downtime."

"To protect the long-term strength of the company, we must also reduce our workforce. This decision was not made lightly, and we recognize the impact on employees and their families. Our Human Resources team is available to assist affected employees with resume support, unemployment guidance, and benefits transitions."

"We are grateful to our employees, customers, and the community for their continued trust since 1958. Spudnik remains committed to agriculture and to positioning the company for a sustainable future."

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 CREE LIGHTING

Racine, Wisconsin-based Cree Lighting, a developer and manufacturer of high-performance LED lighting for commercial, industrial, and outdoor applications, has announced a major restructuring and the winding down of manufacturing operations at its 650,000-square-foot Sturtevant facility, although the company itself will continue operating with limited functions, includingR&D, engineering, sales, marketing, finance, quality control, and a pilot manufacturing operation at the site.

The closure has affected 172 employees.

According to a company statement, "With the implementation – and now acceleration – of the Cree Lighting strategic restructuring, the company continues to work on fulfilling its substantial backlog of orders as well as process new orders. While we are closing the manufacturing unit in Racine, with the exception of maintaining a pilot operation, we will continue to operate certain business functions at the Racine facility, including, but not limited to, R&D, engineering, sales and marketing, finance, and quality control.

We are honored and excited that our customers have remained confident in Cree Lighting’s ability to continue to reliably provide the quality products that Cree Lighting is known for.

We expect to be able to share more insights in the coming few weeks."

The financially-challenged company has experienced supply chain constraints and limited manufacturing capacity related to its ongoing financial restructuring. In response, the company has taken decisive action to strengthen its operational foundation and restore service levels for customers by announcing a long-term contract manufacturing agreement with a highly regarded U.S. lighting manufacturer specializing in industrial and harsh environment applications.

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?