Northwest Wisconsin Businesses File Layoff Notices with Department of Workforce Development

Two Northwest Wisconsin businesses filed layoff notices with the state Department of Workforce Development this week.

Earlier in April, Jeld-Wen announced that it would be closing its window manufacturing plant in Hawkins. The company plans to consolidate its production into an Illinois facility, and will also be closing a plant in Vista, California.

On Monday, the company filed notice with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development that layoffs at the Northwest Wisconsin plant will begin in June. Over the course of about two weeks, nearly 340 employees will be laid off. Wisconsin state labor data shows Rusk County has about 1,300 manufacturing jobs, so the loss of nearly 340 of those jobs is a major hit to the industry.

Another Northwest Wisconsin company also filed a layoff notice with the Department of Workforce Development this week. Jennie-O in Barron County announced that it would be shutting down its turkey harvesting operation and laying off nearly 40 employees. The original announcement that the Northwest Wisconsin company would stop harvesting turkeys at its plant was made in January.

According to a press release from the company, the organization entered into an agreement with Head Start Hatching in Willmar, Minnesota. They say the partnership will offer the company improved operational efficiency and ideal conditions for hatching.

In the press release, officials also noted that employees who were laid off would have the option to accept a new role at another location within the company, or will be offered a severance package if they decline.