JR Automation to shut down Stevensville plant, 38 jobs affected

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JR Automation has confirmed plans to close its Stevensville, Michigan plant, affecting 38 workers. The company says the work performed at the Stevensville facility can be handled at one or more of its ten other locations across the state. JR Automation, which was acquired by Hitachi in 2019, is offering all impacted employees positions at other sites, with some potential for remote or hybrid work arrangements.

Why it matters

The shutdown of the Stevensville plant is part of JR Automation's broader efficiency efforts under its new Hitachi ownership. While the company is trying to retain the affected workers, the closure represents a loss of manufacturing jobs in the region and raises questions about the long-term viability of the Stevensville facility and others like it as companies seek to optimize operations.

The details

JR Automation's Stevensville plant, located at 7275 Red Arrow Highway, is slated to close by August 2026. The majority of the 38 affected positions are in production, with a few in office or administrative roles. The company says it will work with each employee individually to explore opportunities at its other Michigan facilities, including the expanding Holland location about an hour away where a new JR Automation world headquarters is under construction.

• The Stevensville plant shutdown is expected to be complete by August 2026.
• Current projects at the Stevensville facility will be finished before the closure, resulting in staggered layoff dates between now and August.

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