A 130-year-old company is about to close one of its two plants in eastern Wisconsin so it can move production outside of the United States. ThermoFisher will close a facility in Two Rivers that makes steel cabinetry and fume hoods by the end of the year, relocating production to an expanded facility in Mexico.
Two Rivers City Manager Greg Buckley says the decision impacts about 120 workers, many of which have devoted their careers to the company. He says it’s another blow to their lakeshore economy during an already tough time.
Buckley says every effort was made to save the jobs, with the city and state officials trying to reach out to the corporation to encourage job investment and expansion in the state.
A wood production facility owned by the company, also located in Two Rivers, is not affected by the move. Buckley says it’s an antiquated facility and no real investments have been made there, leaving its future also in question.
The state Department of Workforce Development is expected to discuss future options with the displaced workers.
The facility is the second in Wisconsin in less than a week to plan a move to Mexico. C&D Technologies, which makes lead acid batteries, announced it was considering moving 200 jobs out of the Milwaukee area.
Meanwhile, Osseo-based Global Finishing Solutions announced it plans to move jobs back to Wisconsin from Mexico. The company plans to create about 111 positions over the next three years.