TACOMA, Wash. — Progress Rail will close its Tacoma locomotive rebuilding facility early in 2021.
In a statement issued this morning, the company said it will move the work currently being performed at Tacoma to other rebuild facilities, including Mayfield, Ky., and Patterson, Ga.
“This consolidation will help eliminate excess capacity and gain necessary efficiencies,” the statement says. “The company will begin a gradual ramp down of activities in Tacoma, with the full transition expected to be complete by the end of the first quarter of 2021.”
A Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification on the website of the Washington State Employment Security Department says 54 employees are affected, and that layoffs will begin Feb. 9. A 60-day WARN notification is required for plant closings when 50 or more employees are affected.
In addition to providing a severance package to eligible employees, Progress Rail said it will work with affected employees who wish to apply for positions elsewhere in the company, based on experience and qualifications, or help with transition to a job outside of the company.
