Two different employers have confirmed plans to close facilities in Oconomowoc and Prairie du Chien, leading to an anticipated 100 layoffs this summer. These closures could leave many workers searching for new positions at a time when local unemployment remains relatively low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
California-based metal can maker Silgan Containers Manufacturing Corp. notified state officials on Wednesday that it will close one of its Oconomowoc facilities, where 56 people are currently employed. Layoffs are set to begin around July 21, and the facility will continue limited production into August or later. According to the company, 46 hourly and 10 salaried workers\u2014ranging from can line mechanic to plant manager\u2014will be affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wondering how this might impact families in the area? Silgan stated that production volumes will be shifted to other company facilities. The firm operates several sites in southeast Wisconsin, including a technology center in Oconomowoc and manufacturing plants in Menomonee Falls and Kenosha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silgan\u2019s announcement follows a letter from 21 companies in the steel can-making or food processing industry, seeking protections from tariffs. According to the letter, nine tin mill steel plants had already closed since the introduction of steel and aluminum tariffs in 2018. The companies noted they import roughly 70 percent of the steel used to make cans that help feed 330 million Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Days after the letter was sent, the federal administration removed past exemptions, effectively raising tariffs on all steel imports to 25 percent on March 12. Silgan declined to comment on any direct link between tariffs and its decision to consolidate operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Truvant North America, a packaging and containers manufacturing company based in North Carolina, announced the closure of its Prairie du Chien facility. The company filed a layoff notice on May 15, explaining that \u201cchanging business circumstances\u201d had led to this decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of the 74 employees who work at or report to that site, 44 will be laid off, while 30 accepted offers to transfer to other locations within 4 to 30 miles of the closing plant. Truvant plans to begin layoffs around July 15, the same time it expects to finalize the shutdown. Below is a brief table of key dates and employee figures for each closure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n