Here are some layoffs and closures that the Charlotte region has seen in 2024
The Charlotte region is witnessing a significant wave of company layoffs and plant closures. Major players like Medline Industries, Lowe’s, American Airlines and Albemarle Corp. have all announced job cuts, citing reasons such as operational consolidation, market conditions and re-organizational efforts. Companies across various industries, including healthcare, home improvement, aviation and lithium mining, are grappling with economic pressures and strategic re-alignments.
For instance, Piedmont Lithium and Albemarle Corp. are adjusting their workforce due to falling lithium prices and reduced demand for electric vehicles. Medline Industries’ closure of its distribution center in Lincolnton exemplifies the broader trend of moving or consolidating operations to optimize business functions. The region’s employment landscape is facing considerable shifts, impacting thousands of workers.
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Albemarle promises to conduct “next generation mining” at its lithium site in Kings Mountain, NC.
No. 1: Albemarle Corp. cuts more jobs following $1 billion loss during lithium market slump
The Charlotte-based company and world’s largest lithium miner recently submitted permits to reopen the Kings Mountain dormant lithium mine. | Published November 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso
Tegra Global is closing its Concord sports apparel manufacturing plant at 244 Manor Ave. SW resulting in 61 layoffs, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act report.
No. 2: More than 60 people to lose jobs in the Charlotte region as manufacturing plant closes
Among reasons for closing the Atlanta-based sports apparel maker cited reduced customer demand. | Published November 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso
International Paper Co. is closing its Statesville container plant at 930 Meacham Road, resulting in 74 layoffs, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN).
No. 3: More than 70 layoffs coming as packaging manufacturer closing plant outside Charlotte
The Tennessee company is the latest packaging company to shutter sites in the area. | Published October 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso
A Charlotte-area company that went through a merger intends to lay off its 217 workers and shutter its plant, its layoff notice filed with the state of North Carolina shows.
No. 4: Japanese company reveals why it’s laying off 217 Charlotte-area workers, closing plant
The nearly 100-year-old company went through a merger two years ago. | Published September 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso
Columbus McKinnon’s corporate headquarters is located in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte. The company is planning to close a plant on Pioneer Avenue.
No. 5: Charlotte factory closing, causing nearly 80 layoffs as company moves work to Mexico
“While it was a difficult decision, it was necessary to achieve our customer experience and growth goals,” the company said. | Published August 1, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chase Jordan
Novant Health’s Presbyterian Medical Center. The hospital system is planning to build a new facility in Ballantyne.
No. 6: Novant Health to slash over 170 jobs in the Carolinas, including in the Charlotte area
More than half of the layoffs are coming in the Charlotte region. It’s the second largest round of layoffs at Novant since 2015. | Published June 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso
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“Our Charlotte distribution center employs more than 300 people who are coming to work each day despite the challenges of social distancing, shelter in place. Our workforce has resiliently responded to rally at this critical moment,” said Jesse Greenberg, Medline Industries spokesman.
No. 7: Over 200 layoffs hit Charlotte-area medical supplier as it closes distribution center
The largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies in the U.S. is consolidating operations in North Carolina. | Published May 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso
FILE - The UPS logo is displayed on the side of a delivery truck in Mount Lebanon, Pa., Sept. 21, 2021. The Environmental Protection Agency has reached a settlement with the private United Parcel Service to resolve violations of hazardous waste regulations at more than 1,100 facilities across 45 states and Puerto Rico, the agency said Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
No. 8: UPS facility in west Charlotte cutting dozens of jobs. Here’s what happened
The job cuts are effective in May when night sort operations cease at the site. | Published March 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso
Piedmont Lithium Limited is applying for permits to open an open-pit lithium mining operation in Gaston County that it says would be the only one of its type in the United States.
No. 9: NC lithium mining company lays off 27% of its workers, part of $10M in cost cutting
The move is part of layoffs roiling an industry facing falling lithium prices and a decrease in demand for electric vehicles. | Published February 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso
American Airlines announced it is laying off employees to provide ‘elevated’ service to its customers.
No. 10: American Airlines laying off more than 600 workers to ‘elevate’ customer service
The airline said Monday it is looking to reorganize and improve its customer service team. | Published January 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Debbie Lord
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Lowe’s corporate office employees will return in to the Mooresville campus in a hybrid work model next year.
No. 11: Latest round of layoffs at Lowe’s hits Charlotte region corporate office workers
The Mooresville-based home improvement retailer is one of the Charlotte area’s largest employers. | Published January 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso
Many of Charlotte’s highest-paid city employees make more than $200,000 a year.
No. 12: Atlanta-based packaging company to close Charlotte plant, lay off over 100 employees
The plant manufactures paper-based folding carton packages for food and other consumer products, a company official said. | Published January 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso
This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.