AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT DR. PRAEGER'S SENSIBLE FOODS

Elmwood Park, New Jersey-based Dr. Praeger's Sensible Foods, a frozen foods company specializing in vegetarian and "clean" foods, has announced the permanent closure of its Elmwood Park manufacturing facility.

The closure will impact 168 employees, with separations scheduled for December 30, 2026. Production will be outsourced to a Kentucky facility operated by a manufacturing partner

According to a company statement, "We know this is difficult news for the employees and families impacted, and we are incredibly grateful for everything our team has contributed to Dr. Praeger's Sensible Foods over the years. Our priority throughout this transition is to treat our employees with dignity, respect, and fairness and make sure they have access to the support and resources available to them."

Change is constant, and it's coming. Tomorrow will always come, no matter how much you try to ignore it. Life offers no guarantees, 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, anytime, 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 wondering, "Am I Next?"

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT GERRESHEIMER

Düsseldorf, Germany-based Gerresheimer, a manufacturer of primary packaging products for medication and drug delivery devices made of special-purpose glass and plastics, has announced a financial and operational restructuring to consolidate manufacturing, optimize its network, and reduce costs, including closing its major U.S. manufacturing facilities.

• Chicago Heights, Illinois, impacted 172 employees on September 30, 2026, when production was outsourced to Italy and India.

• Vineland, New Jersey, impacted 139 employees through phased layoffs until July 30, 2027, as the company moved vial and cartridge manufacturing to Morganton, North Carolina, and Querétaro, Mexico. A minor technical innovation center with about 15 employees will remain in Vineland.

According to a company statement, "The Gerresheimer Management Board had decided to close the facility in Chicago Heights, Illinois, USA, at the end of September 2026. This decision was taken on the backdrop of declining sales at this facility. Continuing production at this location was not economically feasible. At the Moulded Glass facility, Gerresheimer manufactured type I glass (flint borosilicate glass) moulded bottles for pharmaceutical applications. Gerresheimer worked closely with customers to transfer products from the Chicago Heights facility to its one of the three Type I flint borosilicate glass operations in Italy and/or India in accordance with established requirements. The union had been informed of the decision in February 2026. Gerresheimer previously employed around 200 people at the facility. Please understand that we won't comment beyond that."

Change is constant, and it's coming. Tomorrow will always come, no matter how much you try to ignore it. Life offers no guarantees, 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, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Many employees can read the writing on the wall, so why do most assume it’s aimed at someone else? Are you wondering, "Am I Next?"

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL

Newark, New Jersey-based Prudential Financial, an iconic company whose subsidiaries provide insurance, retirement planning, investment management, and other financial products and services to both retail and institutional clients, has announced the sale of two buildings and another reduction in force.

The personnel realignment will impact 125 Newark employees, scheduled to take effect between November 28 and December 31, 2026, and following two earlier rounds this year: 53 employees on July 17 and 89 employees on September 18, 2026.

According to a company statement, “As Prudential becomes a more focused company, we are aligning our real estate footprint with our strategy and future ways of working. Newark remains Prudential’s home, and we are proud to remain part of the community. Prudential is strengthening our business to deliver long-term growth by investing in the capabilities where we’re most competitive. That means making targeted adjustments, including reorganizing our workforce when needed, to align with the company’s strategy. These decisions are never easy, and we’re committed to providing impacted employees with support, care, and respect.”

Change is constant, and it's coming. Tomorrow will always come, no matter how much you try to ignore it. Life offers no guarantees, 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, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Many employees can read the writing on the wall, so why do most assume it’s aimed at someone else? Are you wondering, "Am I Next?"