Freight-linked sectors across the United States and Germany continue to face massive layoffs. Since January 1, more than 30,000 workers have been laid off in industries tied to freight, including food production, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, and logistics.

According to media reports and Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filings, over 3,500 layoffs have been announced since April 30 alone.

Manufacturing and Food Processing Among Hardest Hit

Cleveland-Cliffs, a steel producer, announced 950 job cuts due to idled plants in Pennsylvania and Illinois, citing weak demand.

Smurfit Westrock, based in Atlanta, will close four plants—two in the U.S. and two in Germany—resulting in 650 layoffs.

Georgia-Pacific Corp. will shut its plywood plant in Emporia, Virginia, cutting 554 jobs, due to declining demand tied to the housing market slowdown.

Other manufacturers announcing closures include:

Elkay Piping Products in Illinois: 135 layoffs

Berry Global Inc. in Alabama: 112 layoffs

Amsted Rail Co. Inc. in Illinois: 74 layoffs

In the food sector:

Weinstein Industries LLC and affiliates will close two meat processing centers and a logistics unit, laying off 115 workers.

Logistics and Warehousing Also Affected

Rite Aid will close distribution centers in Maryland and Washington, cutting 494 jobs, following its bankruptcy filing and store closure plan across 15 states.

Berger Logistics will shut down its Phoenix supply chain facility by June 4, with 121 layoffs.

Cardinal Logistics Management Corp. will lay off 43 warehouse workers in Naperville, Illinois, due to a lost contract.

Northern Air Cargo LLC plans to shut its Miami operations by July 13, cutting 30 jobs.

The wave of layoffs highlights continued volatility and structural shifts in the global freight and logistics ecosystem, with both demand fluctuations and strategic restructurings shaping the industry’s trajectory in 2024.