Whirlpool Layoffs Force Closure of Kalona Manufacturer

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Layoffs at the Whirlpool plant in Amana, Iowa have led to the impending closure of Engineered Plastic Components, one of Whirlpool's major suppliers, at its facility in Kalona. The company cited the drop in business from Whirlpool as the primary reason for the shutdown, although an exact closure date has not yet been announced.

Why it matters

The closure of the Kalona plant will have a significant economic impact on the small town, as Engineered Plastic Components was a major employer. The layoffs at Whirlpool and the resulting ripple effect on its suppliers highlights the vulnerability of manufacturing communities to shifts in the global supply chain.

The details

Engineered Plastic Components, which makes plastic components for major appliances, has announced it will be closing its Kalona, Iowa plant in the near future. The company's biggest customer is Whirlpool, which recently laid off 341 workers from its nearby Amana plant. EPC cited the drop in business from Whirlpool as the primary reason for the impending closure, although an exact date has not yet been provided.

• Whirlpool recently laid off 341 workers from its Amana, Iowa plant.