Several manufacturers have turned to layoffs in recent weeks. Some actions were part of long-term corporate cost-cutting strategies, while others came amid rising uncertainty in the industry over the impact of the Trump administration's new tariff policies.
Tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China started Tuesday, while tariffs on steel and aluminum are slated to go into effect on March 12.
Companies have been increasingly pushing for operational efficiency in recent months, often bringing fresh layoffs. Here are some of the biggest workforce changes that happened in
Microchip cuts 2,000 workers
The semiconductor company plans to lay off workers in Oregon, Colorado and the Philippines, as well as in "various business units and support groups," according to a filing Monday. Layoffs are expected to take place between March and June, and are slated to save Microchip between $90 million and $100 million.
Microchip is also moving forward with plans to cease manufacturing operations at its Tempe, Arizona, wafer fabrication facility, which includes 500 job cuts. The company now expects to shut down operations by May, months earlier than previously expected.
Finally, Microchip is canceling or modifying multiple supplier agreements due to lower inventory needs, saving it $45 million, “as the Company does not expect that it will purchase the specified number of wafers within the time periods required in the agreements," according to the filing.
HP to lay off 2,000 workers
The computer and printer manufacturer is laying off between 1,000 and 2,000 workers around the globe, according to a Feb. 27 securities filing. The layoffs, which will vary in scope based on location, are meant to save HP $300 million and are part of a broader restructuring plan that aims to cut a total of $1.9 billion.
The layoffs are expected to occur before the end of HP's fiscal year in October. HP has not specified which role types will be affected by the layoffs.
The announcement comes as the company is considering moving some of its production to the U.S., President and CEO Enrique Lores told Bloomberg last week.
Frito-Lay to lay off all workers at Liberty, New York, site
The PepsiCo subsidiary is laying off all 287 workers at its Liberty, New York, manufacturing facility. Layoffs will begin May 21 and run through June 6, according to a state Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filing.
The Frito-Lay facility manufactures PopCorners corn-based snacks. Workers there are not represented by a union.
Agricultural equipment maker CNH Industrial cuts Minnesota workers
The company plans to cut 175 workers from its Benson, Minnesota, facility. Layoffs are slated to begin April 11, according to a state WARN filing.
The company operates 15 manufacturing facilities in North America, as well as 19 research and development facilities, according to its website. The layoffs come soon after CNH Industrial announced Q4 revenue declined 28% year over year, down to $4.88 billion.
Equipment maker Rheem Manufacturing to lay off 76 workers
Rheem Manufacturing Co. plans to lay off 76 workers from its Waterbury, Connecticut, facility, according to a state WARN filing.
Layoffs are set to begin on April 30, with another round of cuts occurring June 20 and July 30. Job titles include a variety of roles, such as assemblers, testers, maintenance and laboratory technician positions.
