Freight Distress Report: More than 7,000 jobs cut in new wave of closures

Layoffs and facility closures are mounting across U. S. freight, distribution and manufacturing networks, with more than 7,000 jobs affected by recently announced workforce reductions involving companies ranging from Tyson Foods and FedEx to Ryder, CJ Logistics America and Daimler Truck.

The largest reduction comes from Tyson Foods, which is reportedly eliminating more than 3,000 jobs as it closes facilities in Joslin, Illinois, and Eagle Mountain, Utah. The food giant said it is shifting beef operations toward Nebraska, Kansas and Texas amid what it described as a historic cattle shortage.

Wholesale distributor Essendant also warned of sweeping cuts affecting more than 1,200 employees across six states as the company attempts to secure additional capital or find a buyer. WARN notices show approximately 644 jobs affected in Illinois, 192 in Georgia, 150 in Pennsylvania, 136 in Texas, 103 in California and 53 in Arizona.

The reductions are scheduled to begin Oct. 3. The company has warned that it could cease operations and liquidate if financing or a sale cannot be secured. The announcements are part of a broader wave of restructuring hitting transportation, warehousing, fulfillment and manufacturing operations.

MetricTotalCompanies tracked21Confirmed jobs affected~7,058Potential jobs at risk115States affected15+Largest layoffTyson Foods (>3,000)Largest freight/logistics layoffEssendant (1,278)August 2026 layoffs and closures affected more than 7,000 workers across freight, logistics, manufacturing and distribution networks.

Freight and logistics operations take hits Postal Center International is eliminating about 457 positions across Florida, Texas and Massachusetts. The commercial mail and fulfillment provider said 181 employees are affected at its Weston, Florida, headquarters, along with 164 workers in San Antonio and 112 in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Positions include delivery drivers, barcode sweepers, supervisors and managers. FedEx is cutting 173 jobs across three Southern California operations as part of its ongoing Network 2. 0 transformation. The parcel carrier plans to permanently close its Victorville facility Sept. 28, eliminating 54 jobs.

Another 62 employees will be affected in Palm Springs and 57 in San Diego. FedEx has characterized the moves as part of its broader restructuring and network consolidation efforts. Ryder is also closing an operation in Fayetteville, North Carolina, resulting in 73 layoffs effective Oct. 12.

Ryder said it will continue operating in the area, but another logistics provider will take over operations at the Gillespie Street facility. CJ Logistics America plans to cease operations at a 1. 2 million-square-foot warehouse in Upper Macungie Township, Pennsylvania, affecting 57 employees.

The third-party logistics provider cited changing business needs for the shutdown. Saddle Creek Corp. filed a WARN notice Aug. 17 announcing 178 permanent layoffs at its Plant City, Florida, operation beginning Oct. 15. Dylan Logistics LLC also filed WARN notices covering 167 employees at facilities in Lewisville and Fort Worth, Texas.

Those reductions are scheduled for Dec. 10. Flagship Logistics, an Amazon Delivery Service Partner operating from an Amazon warehouse in North Bath, New York, plans to eliminate 43 positions. Manufacturing and distribution facilities close Commercial vehicle manufacturing is also represented in the latest round of restructuring.

Daimler Truck plans to move truck manufacturing out of Portland, Oregon, to facilities in North and South Carolina by the end of the year, affecting approximately 375 employees. Daimler said it will continue building trucks used for testing in Portland.

Carlex Glass America plans to permanently close its manufacturing operation in Vonore, Tennessee, affecting 325 workers. Layoffs are scheduled to begin Sept. 7 as the company shifts production toward Nashville. HelloFresh is closing its Swedesboro, New Jersey, distribution center and cutting 374 jobs effective Nov. 17.

The meal-kit company said operations will be integrated into its broader fulfillment network. United Natural Foods Inc. is closing its longtime Northeast Philadelphia distribution center, eliminating 48 positions while shifting operations to other Pennsylvania facilities.

Ferraro Foods of New York North is closing its Utica operation for economic reasons, resulting in 62 layoffs by Aug. 18. The foodservice distributor operated 17 trucks and employed 21 drivers, according to FMCSA data cited in the notice information.

Other closures include a Staples fulfillment center in La Mirada, California, affecting 109 workers; a Mission Foods tortilla plant in Pueblo, Colorado, affecting 90; and TV Hardware Distribution’s Chicago operation, where 116 employees are scheduled to be laid off in October.

Bankruptcy and financial pressure Financial distress is also behind several notices. West Marine is eliminating 80 positions at its Fort Lauderdale, Florida, support center effectiv