More than 7,000 freight, distribution, and manufacturing jobs are being eliminated across at least 15 U.S. states as companies from Tyson Foods to FedEx shutter facilities in a new wave of workforce reductions, according to FreightWaves' latest Freight Distress Report.
FreightWaves reported that layoffs and facility closures are mounting across U.S. freight, distribution, and manufacturing networks, with recently announced reductions involving Tyson Foods, FedEx, Ryder, CJ Logistics America, Daimler Truck, and other companies. The report, published Aug. 19, characterized the announcements as part of a broader wave of restructuring hitting transportation, warehousing, fulfillment, and manufacturing operations.
The numbers at a glance
FreightWaves' tracking identified 21 companies with confirmed job cuts totaling roughly 7,058 positions, plus 115 potential jobs at risk, across more than 15 states. The largest single reduction is Tyson Foods' elimination of more than 3,000 jobs; the largest freight and logistics layoff is Essendant's 1,278 affected employees.
| Metric | Total |
|---|---|
| Companies tracked | 21 |
| Confirmed jobs affected | ~7,058 |
| Potential jobs at risk | 115 |
| States affected | 15+ |
| Largest layoff | Tyson Foods (>3,000) |
| Largest freight/logistics layoff | Essendant (1,278) |
FreightWaves' Freight Distress Report tracked 21 companies with roughly 7,058 confirmed job cuts and 115 potential jobs at risk across more than 15 states.
Food processing leads the downsizing
Tyson Foods is eliminating more than 3,000 jobs as it closes facilities in Joslin, Illinois, and Eagle Mountain, Utah, according to FreightWaves. The food giant said it is shifting beef operations toward Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas amid what it described as a historic cattle shortage.
Wholesale distributor Essendant warned of sweeping cuts affecting more than 1,200 employees across six states as the company attempts to secure additional capital or find a buyer. WARN notices show approximately 644 jobs affected in Illinois, 192 in Georgia, 150 in Pennsylvania, 136 in Texas, 103 in California, and 53 in Arizona. The reductions are scheduled to begin Oct. 3. FreightWaves reported that Essendant has warned it could cease operations and liquidate if financing or a sale cannot be secured.
Freight and logistics operations take hits
The report detailed a series of freight and warehousing reductions:
- Postal Center International is eliminating about 457 positions across Florida, Texas, and Massachusetts — including 181 at its Weston, Florida, headquarters, 164 in San Antonio, and 112 in Franklin, Massachusetts. Roles include delivery drivers, barcode sweepers, supervisors, and managers.
- FedEx is cutting 173 jobs across three Southern California operations as part of its Network 2.0 transformation. It will permanently close its Victorville facility Sept. 28 (54 jobs), with another 62 in Palm Springs and 57 in San Diego.
- Ryder is closing an operation in Fayetteville, North Carolina, resulting in 73 layoffs effective Oct. 12. Ryder said it will continue operating in the area, with another logistics provider taking over operations at the Gillespie Street facility.
- CJ Logistics America will cease operations at a 1.2-million-square-foot warehouse in Upper Macungie Township, Pennsylvania, affecting 57 employees, citing changing business needs.
- Saddle Creek Corp. filed a WARN notice Aug. 17 announcing 178 permanent layoffs at its Plant City, Florida, operation beginning Oct. 15.
- Dylan Logistics LLC filed WARN notices covering 167 employees at facilities in Lewisville and Fort Worth, Texas, with reductions scheduled for Dec. 10.
- Flagship Logistics, an Amazon Delivery Service Partner operating from an Amazon warehouse in North Bath, New York, plans to eliminate 43 positions.
Manufacturing and distribution closures
Daimler Truck plans to move truck manufacturing out of Portland, Oregon, to facilities in North and South Carolina by the end of the year, affecting approximately 375 employees, according to FreightWaves. Daimler said it will continue building trucks used for testing in Portland.
Carlex Glass America will permanently close its manufacturing operation in Vonore, Tennessee, affecting 325 workers; layoffs are scheduled to begin Sept. 7 as production shifts toward Nashville.
HelloFresh is closing its Swedesboro, New Jersey, distribution center and cutting 374 jobs effective Nov. 17.
What shippers and operators should watch
The operational impact spans multiple modes. Parcel delivery is affected by FedEx's Southern California closures; warehousing and fulfillment by CJ Logistics America, HelloFresh, Saddle Creek, and Postal Center International; trucking by Ryder, Dylan Logistics, and Daimler Truck; and food distribution by Tyson and Essendant. Shippers routing freight through these facilities should identify alternate capacity, and logistics providers with available warehouse or trucking capacity may absorb redirected volumes as closures take effect.
Watch list
- Essendant's capital hunt — The company warned it could cease operations and liquidate if it cannot secure financing or a buyer before reductions begin Oct. 3.
- FedEx Network 2.0 — The parcel carrier's facility closures in Victorville, Palm Springs, and San Diego may signal further consolidation across its network.
- Daimler Truck's Oregon exit — Truck manufacturing moves to the Carolinas by year-end; Portland will retain only test-truck production.
- Tyson Foods' beef consolidation — Production shifts toward Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas after the Joslin and Eagle Mountain plant closures.
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