AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT LENNOX CORPORATION

APRIL 22, 2020 — Original post…

Bristol, Pennsylvania-based Lenox Corporation, the iconic china, and tableware manufacturer, has announced that it will be closing one of the last china manufacturing operations in the United States. The closure of the company's china operations in Kinston, North Carolina, will affect approximately 159 employees.

According to a statement issued by the company CEO, Mads Ryder ...

"The Company must notify you that, at present, the temporary furlough is now expected to be a permanent closing, and the entire manufacturing operating unit will shut down.” "Due to the drastic and unforeseeable economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States, the Company is in extreme financial distress. Sales have dropped dramatically as most, if not all, pending orders have been canceled. Moreover, the Company has not received any significant new orders. At this time, prospects for the future are not encouraging.”

However, the company was already restructuring under Ryder which was brought in November 2018 to reimagine the company's brands and bring them into the digital age. Ryder has stated that the "130-year old brand is 'out of touch, uncool and anachronistically chasing a china-cabinet owning consumer base that’s been fading for decades." It appears that some employees will remain on temporary furlough to allow the company to access government funding and then will be tasked with shutting down the china operations.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT MTD PRODUCTS

Valley City, Ohio-based MTD Products, a manufacturer of retail outdoor maintenance and agricultural equipment, has announced that they will be closing their manufacturing plant in Leitchfield, Kentucky. The closure will affect 295 employees who will be laid off by June 2020.

According to a statement issued by the company…

“MTD made this decision after careful and ongoing evaluation of its manufacturing footprint in relation to future strategic needs. The move will improve overall efficiency and better position MTD to deliver competitive product in a rapidly evolving outdoor power equipment industry.”

“MTD is grateful for the hard work and dedication of these employees and the continued support of the Leitchfield community. We recognize the significant impact this closure will have on employees and their families and will be providing separation support including severance benefits, outplacement services and preferential hiring opportunities at MTD’s other US facilities.”

“MTD remains committed to US manufacturing and has increased employment at its other US manufacturing facilities over the last several years. The move also allows the company to focus on better leveraging advanced manufacturing capabilities in its other US facilities.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT CHESAPEAKE BAY CANDLE

Rockville, Maryland-based Chesapeake Bay Candle, a manufacturer and marketer of premium candles and other scented products, has announced that it will be closing their 125,000-square-foot Glen Burnie, Maryland manufacturing facility which will result in the layoffs of 125 full-time employees. The decision was driven by the company’s purchase in 2017 by Hoboken, New Jersey-based Newell Brands, best known for iconic brands like Paper Mate, Sharpie, Elmer’s, Coleman, Mr. Coffee, Rubbermaid, and competitor Yankee Candle.

Operations will be transferred to Newell’s Home Fragrance Division in Whatley, Massachusetts, the home of Yankee Candle. There is no doubt that there will be significant synergies and cost reduction as the two companies share designers, manufacturing, administrative and fulfillment operations.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?