BUSINESS

These 7 companies laid people off in October in Wisconsin

Ricardo Torres
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
View Comments

Heading into the final few months of the year, hundreds of Wisconsin workers are being impacted by layoffs across several industries.

In October, nearly 800 workers learned they are going to be laid off in industries ranging from finance to manufacturing. Despite the layoffs, Wisconsin unemployment is still very low, under 4%.

In certain circumstances, companies are required to tell the state's Department of Workforce Development about any layoffs, also called a warn notice. DWD tracks these layoffs. In the past month workers from Milwaukee, Madison, Appleton, Franklin, New Berlin, Beloit, Manitowoc, and Fennimore learned their jobs were impacted. Here's which Wisconsin companies laid people off in October.

Cadre Services

In Appleton, 195 temporary workers and 28 internal workers at Cadre Services, a staffing business that has been in the city since 1994, learned the company was going to lay them off on Dec. 23. The layoffs are due to a facility closure.

Cadre sent a letter to DWD on Oct. 24 and ended by saying "Cadre truly regrets that this action is necessary."

BMO Bank

In Milwaukee, 44 employees at BMO Bank in downtown Milwaukee learned they would not have a job at the bank staring Dec. 31.

Dowco, Inc.

In Manitowoc, Dowco, Inc., a company that makes canvas covers and other accessories for boats, announced on Oct. 16 that 53 employees would be laid off starting Dec. 11. In a letter to DWD, the company said the layoffs were due to consolidation of its manufacturing lines and products will be made in Missouri and Indiana.

More:When should I apply for unemployment in Wisconsin? How much will I receive, and answers to other questions

Process Retail Group, Inc.

Also on Oct. 16, in New Berlin Process Retail Group, Inc, a sign manufacturer, announced 66 employees will be laid off starting on Nov. 30.

Strauss Brands and Logistics

In Franklin, Strauss Brands and Logistics, a meat packing company, announced 127 employees will be laid off starting Dec. 10.

After the announcement, president Jack Prince said the company is "working diligently to mitigate these circumstances. However, we currently do not know if it will be possible to rehire any of the individuals impacted by this reduction."

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1473, which represents the workers, said the action impacts more than 60% of the bargaining unit.

NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes

In Beloit and Madison, 65 and 28 employees at NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes were being laid off starting Oct. 11. The departments that were impacted were surgical and medical instrument manufacturing, and other basic inorganic chemical manufacturing.

Energizer Manufacturing

In Fennimore, 172 employees at battery maker Energizer Holdings, learned they would be laid off starting Dec. 1. The company is shutting down the entire facility.

According to a statement provided to WKOW, a spokesperson for Energizer said:

"Energizer Holdings recently met with representatives from Local 695 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters regarding our intent to conduct a phased closing of our Portage and Fennimore facilities in Wisconsin. We have no plans to close additional facilities. As we work toward a final resolution in Wisconsin, we will continue to focus on our colleagues – the people closest to this issue and who matter most."

View Comments