Job Cuts Abound

A number of manufacturers have announced layoffs recently

A number of manufacturers ranging from steel producers to automakers have announced layoffs recently. Here is a brief round-up of some of the major announcements that may affect your business.

Cleveland-Cliffs is laying off workers in Michigan and Minnesota as the steelmaker attempts to mitigate the knock-on effects of recent tariffs on steel and auto imports. The company plans to idle some operations at its Dearborn, Michigan, plant due to falling automotive demand, leading to 600 job cuts, according to an emailed company statement. Cleveland-Cliffs will also idle operations at two iron ore mines in Minnesota, resulting in 630 layoffs. 

In February, Canadian steelmaker Canada Metal Processing Group announced that “in light of lower anticipated demand and production volume, due to U.S. tariff threats and trade challenges in Canada with increasing imports,” it plans to lay off 140 employees in Ontario and Quebec. 

Stellantis NV, maker of Ram trucks and Jeeps, said on Thursday it was temporarily laying off 900 workers at five U.S. facilities after a round of prospective tariffs were announced, and temporarily pausing production at an assembly plant in Mexico and in Canada. The U.S. plants affected are powertrain and stamping facilities. Stellantis' Windsor Assembly, where the Chrysler Pacifica minivan and Dodge Charger Daytona are made, will be down for two weeks while Toluca Assembly, where the Jeep Compass and Jeep Wagoneer S are made, will be down the month of April, the company said.

Siemens already announced the planned capacity adjustments at its automation business at its Annual Press Conference in November 2024. Siemens Digital Industries branch employs about 68,000 people worldwide. The planned reduction will affect about 5,600 jobs globally. A reduction of around 2,600 jobs is planned for Digital Industries in Germany. The related measures are to be implemented by the end of fiscal 2027.