Major Employment Cuts: Amazon and Target in the Process

Striking Reductions in Employment

Amazon has confirmed plans to cut approximately 14,000 corporate positions. Additionally, there are reports that the total reduction could be as high as 30,000. This move is part of a global restructuring aimed at automation powered by artificial intelligence and efficiency goals.

Target has announced that 1,800 corporate roles will be eliminated. It is believed that approximately 1,000 active layoffs will be included in these cuts. The aim is to simplify operations and reduce costs.

Stagnation in the Manufacturing Sector

In the manufacturing and industrial sectors, facility closures and mergers have occurred in many regions:

• California: Beverage packager Manna Beverages implemented 638 layoffs; packaging recycler rPlanet Earth cut 178 positions. Food producer Bumble Bee Foods made 56 layoffs, while Leprino Foods announced plans to close the Lemoore East cheese plant, affecting 300 employees.
• Texas: Rubber manufacturer Lion Elastomers will close its Orange facility, resulting in 100 job losses. Additionally, Yang Ming Corp. will shut down its customer service center in Houston, affecting 118 employees.
• Florida: Window and door manufacturer PGT Industries will eliminate 442 positions in the Hialeah and Medley areas. Logistics company ID Logistics will carry out 174 layoffs in St. Petersburg.
• Georgia: Flooring manufacturer Mannington Mills will close three facilities, resulting in 200 job reductions. Saddle Creek Logistics plans to lay off 128 employees in Newnan after losing a major contract.
• Wisconsin: Dairy producer Saputo Cheese USA will cut 240 employees as part of a consolidation plan. Wausau Equipment Co. will reduce 67 workers due to a decline in construction demand.

Wave of Layoffs in the Automotive Sector

As investments in electric vehicles conflict with weak consumer demand, the automotive sector continues to experience layoffs. In Michigan, Autokiniton will close a foundry in Detroit and lay off 133 workers. IAC Alma will eliminate 246 positions, while Dana Thermal Products will close its Auburn Hills facility, resulting in 200 layoffs.

Tenneco will reduce 82 positions in Tennessee, while Federal-Mogul Motorparts has closed its facility in Boaz, Alabama, affecting 82 employees.

Reductions in the Logistics Sector

Freight carriers and third-party logistics providers are reducing personnel due to declining contract volumes:

• Averitt Express is reducing 193 positions in Alabama following the end of its Mercedes-Benz contract.
• Allen Distribution will close its Allentown, Pennsylvania facility, resulting in 70 layoffs.
• CBJ Logistics plans to lay off 101 employees in Philadelphia.
• 360x Logistics, as an Amazon Delivery Service Partner, will close its warehouse in Wisconsin, laying off 59 employees.