Manufacturing Plant in Florida Closing, Leaving 80 Employees Jobless

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Florida’s manufacturing sector is facing another significant hit as Leggett & Platt, a long-standing player in the industry, announced the closure of its Plant City manufacturing plant. This move, set to impact nearly 80 workers, marks another instance of job losses in the state this August, following the recent announcement of Aviara Boats’ plant closure.

Details of the Florida Layoff

The closure of the Plant City facility, located at 3775 Fancy Farms Road, was officially communicated through a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) letter dated August 22, 2024. The letter confirmed that the plant would cease operations, resulting in the layoff of approximately 82 employees. These workers, primarily involved in production and production support, are not represented by a union and have no bumping rights—meaning they cannot replace other employees to avoid job loss.

The layoffs are expected to commence in October 2024, leaving many workers facing an uncertain future as they navigate the job market. This closure comes on the heels of previous consolidations within the company; in May 2023, Leggett & Platt had already shut down its manufacturing plants in Tampa and Spring Hill, moving those operations to the Plant City facility, which is now also closing its doors.

For the affected employees, this news is undoubtedly difficult, and it serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of the manufacturing industry. As Leggett & Platt prepares to wind down its operations in Plant City, the local community will feel the ripple effects of these job losses, emphasizing the ongoing challenges faced by the sector in Florida.