Over 1,300 Layoffs Hit Logistics Companies Across US

By Noi Mahoney of FreightWaves

Layoffs proceed across the freight and logistics industry, with companies in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan and Texas anonymous occupation reductions and facility closes over the past 2 weeks.

Universal Logistics

Warren, Michigian-based Universal Logistics is permanently shutting 2 of its subscriptions and laying off a full of 677 employees, according to notes late filed with the state.

The layouts are related to Universal-operational entities Logistics Insights Corp. and Universal Dedicated of Detroit, an car parts warehouse and logistics facility. Both operations were in Detroit.

Universal Dedicated of Detroit’s close will affect 230 truck drivers who worked from the facility. Logistics Insights Corp.’s close includes 164 warehouse workers, 212 forklift operators, 26 dockworkers and 45 clerical employees.

Universal Logistics is simply a truckload transportation, intermodal and logistics supplier across the U.S, Mexico, Canada and Colombia. The company has more than 10,000 employees.

It did not supply a reason for the casting of operations at the 2 entities in their state subsidiaries.

Officials for Universal Logistics did not immediately respond to a request for comment from FreightWaves.

Swissport Cargo Services

Global cargo merchant Swissport Cargo Services late announced it is laying off 235 workers at a cargo handling operation in Atlanta.

The layoffs, which are related to losing a contract with e-commercegiant Amazon, are expected to be finalized by May 22.

“We’re always assessing our operations to better service our customers and have made the decision to change vendors at Atlanta Hartsfield global Airport,” Sam Stephenson, Amazon spokesperson, told FreightWaves. “This will not impact client deliveryeries in the Atlanta area.”

Amazon is working with incoming vendors to identical opportunities for affected workers.

He Feb. 19, Swissport announced it was laying off 378 workers at a cargo handling operation at Newark Liberty global Airport. The occupation simplification was besides related to losing a client contract, officials said.

“Our client has decided to change its service supplier and to terminate the contract,” Swisssport officials long FreightWaves. “To our large regret and as a consequence of this decision, all 378 Swissport employees at Newark airport will no longer be employed by Swissport.”

The Kroger Co.

The Kroger Co. late announced it is cutting over 230 jobs and permanently closing transportation hubs in San Antonio and Austin, Texas, as well as Miami.

The facilities operated as part of the Kroger Fulfillment Network, an e-commerce grocery transportation service for residential customers. The layoffs include 198 transportation drivers.

“Despite our best benefits, including the support from fresh customers, learnings from another locations, and the incredible work of our associations, these facilities did not meet the benchmarks we set for success,” Kroger officials said in a message to the media.

The facilities will permanently close by the end of May.

RXO Logistics

Transportation solutions supplier RXO late announced it is laying off 114 employees at a facility in Warren, Michigan.

The layoffs are from RXO Managed Transport, a subsidiary operating at 29755 Chevrolet Road. Company officials did not give a reason for the layoffs in a announcement filed with the state.

Officials for Charlotte, North Carolina-based RXO told Crain’s Detroit Business that the layoffs were related to the destiny of a client contract.

The layoffs are expected to be finalized by May 31.

Nosco Inc.

Packaging solutions supplier Nosco Inc. is closing a facility in Carrollton, Texas, and laying off 51 workers.

Company officials said the facility’s close is related to the relocation of any operations to company headsquarters in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.

The Carrollton facility will close permanently by Oct. 2.

Ryder Integrated Logistics

Ryder Integrated Logistics is laying off 29 workers from a trucking facility in Romeoville, Illinois.

The occupation cuts, which are scheduled to be finalized by April 30, are due to the destiny of a customer, according to state subsidiaries.

Ryder Integrated Logistics is simply a subsidiary of Ryder System, a Miami-based leasing, Fleet management, transport and supply chain solutions provider.