AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT TIMKEN BELTS

Springfield, Missouri-based Timken Belts, a manufacturer of industrial power transmission belts, has announced the closure of its manufacturing plant and operational headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, following its parent company's sale of its belt business to the Denver, Colorado-based Gates Industrial Corporation.

The closure will impact 280 employees, with layoffs commencing in August 2026 and completed by December 31, 2026, followed by the permanent closure of the facility, which was not included in the asset sale. This follows the loss of 96 employees at the beginning of 2025.

According to a company spokesperson, "The facility will be closed after a wind-down period following the closing of the deal with Gates. We recognize this is difficult news for our Springfield team and the community. We are working with impacted employees to support them through this transition. Chief Executive Officer Lucian Boldea added, I want to thank our dedicated belts colleagues for their contributions over the years.”

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 PERRIGO

Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Perrigo, a manufacturer of private-label over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, has announced significant layoffs and restructuring, largely tied to its struggling infant formula business and broader cost-cutting efforts, as part of a two-year plan to streamline operations and improve profitability. The company plans to permanently close its infant formula manufacturing plant in Georgia, Vermont, as part of a phased shutdown of the facility.

The closure will affect 162 employees. Manufacturing operations are expected to end by late June 2026, with the remaining jobs eventually eliminated.

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 MARS PETCARE

Franklin, Tennessee-based Mars Petcare, a global supplier of pet nutrition products, comprehensive veterinary care, pet diagnostics and monitoring, and pet welfare products, has announced the closure of its Henderson, North Carolina, manufacturing plant by mid-2026.

The closure will impact 150 employees.

According to a company spokesperson, "As a business, we are continuously evaluating the needs of our customers, pet parents, and their pets, and right now we are redistributing this volume within our U.S. network. Essentially, that’s the rationale that I can share. It’s really just simplifying our organization overall and right-sizing our operations. The decision is final, and it was not made lightly. We value the contributions of our Associates and will support the approximately 150 Associates affected by exploring internal transfer opportunities and offering transitional support."The company is working with the affected employees to help them find employment at other plants or otherwise help them with transition assistance in advance of the closing."

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?