Auto parts manufacturer BCS Access Business Systems U.S. has announced plans to lay off 123 employees and permanently close its plant in Winona by the end of the year, according to a statement released by the company this week.
The affected workers, who are employed at the plant that has been operational in Winona since 2018, will lose their jobs in the second half of the year. The facility specializes in producing keyless entry parts for automobiles.
The layoffs will impact only the manufacturing plant, known as BCS Automotive Interface Solutions, while employees at BCS’s nearby engineering facility are expected to remain unaffected by the downsizing, as stated by plant manager Aaron MacLennan.
The reductions come as a result of economic challenges faced by the company during the pandemic, with Winona Community Development Director Lucy McMartin noting that the city had been collaborating with BCS to navigate these difficulties.
Despite the closure of the factory in Winona, officials remain optimistic about the job market in the area, citing a low unemployment rate of 2.3% and an abundance of job opportunities with local employers such as Fastenal, Winona State University, Winona Health, and RTP Co.
In an effort to support displaced workers in finding new employment, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has initiated a trade act petition with the U.S. Department of Labor to provide retraining and additional assistance to those affected.
This news follows a string of recent job losses in Winona, including the layoffs of 30 workers at a FedEx Freight operation in October. The community remains resilient, with local officials and businesses working together to support those impacted by these changes.
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