Despite low unemployment, these companies planning layoffs
Nearly 340 employees at Lakeside Book Company in Menasha learned on Tuesday the company is going to be permanently closing its print production facility.
The company cited “changing market conditions” as the reason for the mass layoffs. The company expects employee separations to start on June 7.
The closing marks the largest mass layoffs from a single company this year.
At the end of 2023 Wisconsin’s unemployment rate was 3.1%, and according the the most recent data from the state Department of Workforce Development, unemployment insurance claims for the third week of February were roughly 4,800 statewide, the lowest for a week so far this year.
The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, which released its most recent data from December, showed the economy growing at a slower pace than it did last December at 0.2%. The unemployment rate in the area is 2.6% — up 0.6% from a year ago, but still very low.
“The current employment situation is marked by slow growth and rising unemployment leading to a lackluster aggregate trend,” said Bret Mayborne, MMAC vice president of economic research.
Besides Lakeside Book Company, here are some other companies that announced layoffs in February:
Sierra Electrotek, LLC
On Monday, 37 employees at Sierra Electrotek learned they would be laid off starting March 8. The electronics manufacturing company, located in Oak Creek, decided to close the facility.
DWF Wholesale Florists of Milwaukee
On Tuesday, eight workers of DWF Wholesale Florists learned the facility at 425 W. Walnut St. was closing and laying them off starting March 8.
Del Monte Foods, Inc.
On Monday, 90 workers at Del Monte Foods, a fruit and vegetable canning company, in Markesan learned it was going to be closing its facility and laying workers off starting April 26.
ABS Global, Genus Intelligen Technologies
On Feb. 19, ABS Global, Genus Intelligen Technologies, a animal support company, informed 44 workers that the company was going to be closing the facility in Poynette “due to an operational consolidation.” Other impacted positions are in Windsor, Waunakee and Deforest. The layoffs start April 19.
ODW Logistics
On Feb. 14, ODW Logistics, a warehousing company, informed 107 employees that it was closing its facility in Waukesha starting April 14.
Saputo Cheese USA, Inc.
On Feb. 1, 98 employees at Saputo Cheese USA, a cheese manufacturer in Lancaster, officially learned the facility was going to be closing. Layoffs are expected to begin March 29.
Sheridan Wisconsin
Book printing company Sheridan Wisconsin in Madison, notified 116 employees on Feb. 12 that the company would be closingn facility in June due to “the company’s significant downturn in business at the Madison location.” Layoffs are expected to begin April 13.
H&S MFG Company, Inc
On Feb. 8, farm machinery and equipment manufacturer H&S MFG Company in Clintonville notified 42 workers it was closing the facility. Layoffs are expected to begin April 4.
Hutchinson Technology Inc.
On Feb. 5, Hutchinson Technology, a digital storage device manufacturer in Eau Claire, notified 90 employees it was going to begin layoffs starting April 5.
Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Wisconsin
On Feb. 2, Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Wisconsin in Eau Claire, associated with HSHS Sacred heart Hospital and Encompass Health, informed 117 employees that it was going to begin layoffs starting April 2.