Ralpho Township, PA – A major trailer manufacturer has announced plans to temporarily lay off 164 employees at its facility in Northumberland County, citing challenging market conditions as the reason for the workforce reduction. The layoffs will impact workers at the company’s plant located along Progress Road in Ralpho Township, near Elysburg.
WARN Notice Filed with State Labor Officials
Great Dane, a Georgia-based trailer and truck body manufacturer, filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, formally notifying the state of the upcoming layoffs at its facility at 207 Progress Road.
According to the WARN notice, which was dated Dec. 12, the company plans to implement the layoffs over a 14-day period beginning Feb. 2. The filing is required under federal law when a large number of employees are affected by job losses.
More than 160 Employees Impacted
The planned layoffs will affect 164 workers at the Northumberland County plant. Company documents specify that the impacted positions include:
- 92 assemblers
- 23 welders
- Additional production and support staff
Despite the significant number of employees affected, Great Dane emphasized that the layoffs are expected to be temporary.
Facility will Remain Open
In its filing, Great Dane clarified that it is not shutting down the entire facility. The company stated that operations will continue at the Ralpho Township plant, and the layoffs are intended as a short-term response to ongoing economic pressures.
“The layoffs are expected to be temporary and Great Dane is not closing its entire facility,” the company noted in the WARN notice.
No timeline was provided for when employees might be recalled to work.
Company Cites Market Conditions
Great Dane attributed the decision to reduce staffing levels to “current market conditions.” While the company did not elaborate further, the manufacturing sector has faced fluctuating demand, supply chain challenges, and broader economic uncertainty over the past year.
Great Dane manufactures trailers and truck bodies and operates 11 manufacturing plants across the United States, employing workers in multiple states.
Understanding the WARN Act
The WARN Act is a federal law designed to protect workers, families, and communities by requiring employers to provide at least 60 days’ advance notice of mass layoffs or facility closures. The advance notice allows workers time to prepare, seek alternative employment, or pursue retraining opportunities.
State labor officials use WARN notices to coordinate employment assistance, workforce services, and support resources for affected employees.
Local Impact and What Comes Next
The announcement is expected to have a noticeable impact on the Elysburg and Ralpho Township area, where the facility is a significant employer. Local workforce agencies may step in to offer job placement assistance, training programs, and unemployment resources for displaced workers.
Officials have not indicated whether additional layoffs could occur beyond those outlined in the current WARN notice.
How do temporary layoffs like this affect local communities and workers’ families? Should companies do more to protect employees during economic slowdowns? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
