Jeld-Wen announced it will lay off 152 workers effective Nov. 7, 2024, according to reporting by the Des Moines Register. The announcement was made on Iowa’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN, site.
Company statement
“While these decisions are difficult, we are taking steps to simplify and strengthen the company, and meet future demand against current labor force, which includes optimizing our operations network to better compete in the market we serve,” the company says in a statement.
“We value the contributions of our employees and have provided those affected with a competitive separation package and outplacement services to help provide a smooth transition. Affected employees can also apply for any other open roles in Grinnell locations and across the company. While decisions that impact people are never easy, we make them only after careful consideration and with the understanding that our actions today are necessary to position Jeld-Wen for long-term success.”
Additional information
Jeld-Wen currently has approximately 50 open positions that impacted employees can apply for, and if business circumstances change in the near future, the company will reach out to laid-off workers first to fill the job openings, says Katie Plyipow, manager of external communications for Jeld-Wen, in an email.
In addition to current employment opportunities, employees impacted will be supported with a transition package that includes eligibility for severance payments based on their length of service, access to employee assistance programs, job placement services and the opportunity to apply for jobs at other company locations. In addition, they are eligible to receive 30 days of regular salary and benefits under state WARN, Plyipow writes.
The company manufactures both windows and doors from two facilities in Grinnell, Iowa, as well as having customer experience team members. After the layoffs, Jeld-Wen will employ about 900 people in the Grinnell area, according Plyipow.
Earlier this year, Jeld-Wen announced the closing of its Hawkins, Wisconsin, facility affecting 338 employees and Vista, California, resulting in the loss of 110 jobs.
