COVID-19 Causes Wayzata Home Products Lays Off 165 Workers In Connersville, Indiana
On March 13, 2020, Wayzata Home Products filed a WARN with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. The letter explains that the company has decided to permanently cease all business operations effective March 13, 2020. The company cites the market, financial impact of COVID-19, and unsuccessful efforts to acquire additional capital investment as reasons for the closure.
The company’s facility in Connersville, Indiana closed on March 13, 2020. That facility was located at 4971 Western Avenue. All employees based at this facility were separated from employment. In total, 165 workers were laid off. These workers did not have access to bumping rights.
While 60 days advance notice of a shutdown may be required under the WARN Act, the company explains it was unable to provide such notice due to significant and unforeseeable business circumstances. The letter goes on to say that existing investors notified the company that they would not make additional capital investment to sustain operations on March 11, 2020.
A combination of factors including the global spread of the coronavirus has been cited as the cause. A list of impacted workers and their positions can be found here.
