If you work in manufacturing, logistics, or defense in the Columbia area, the recent layoffs in South Carolina may feel very personal. Many companies are shutting down operations or reducing staff, which means hundreds of workers are now searching for new jobs. Even though the state’s economy is growing, these sudden job losses show that not every business is able to keep up.
Recent Closures in Lexington and Kershaw
Two major closures are directly affecting workers near Columbia.
Charter Communications, which runs Spectrum cable services, will permanently shut its Lexington facility on May 7. This decision will leave 62 employees without jobs.
Another company, KPR US, LLC, is also closing its Kershaw location on May 29. At least 23 workers will be impacted. KPR US focuses on manufacturing and distributing medical devices.
These closures are part of a bigger trend happening across the state.
Layoffs Across Multiple Industries
The layoffs are not limited to one sector. Manufacturing, logistics, and defense companies are all affected.
Here are some key examples:
- Textron Systems Corporation plans to lay off 58 workers in Berkeley County between May and August.
- First Brands Group, LLC is closing its Marion plant after filing for bankruptcy, affecting 64 employees.
- Parsec, LLC will shut down its North Charleston operation, impacting 39 workers.
- ABM Industry Groups, LLC is laying off 122 employees in Charleston over several months.
- Industrial Plastics Group, LLC has already laid off 74 workers in Pickens.
Even smaller layoffs are happening. For example, C2 Technologies laid off one employee but gave only four days’ notice, which raises concerns.
Earlier Layoffs That Affected Hundreds
The situation started earlier this year, with several companies already closing or downsizing.
Some major examples include:
- Milliken is shutting down its Cedar Hill plant, affecting 126 workers.
- Saddle Creek Logistics Services laid off 130 workers after closing its Duncan operations.
- James Hardie Building Products closed its Summerville location, impacting 78 employees.
- eREV Supply Chain and DLH Solutions together laid off 327 workers in Charleston.
- International Paper is closing its Georgetown plant, affecting 126 workers.
- Koppers Inc. shut down its Florence facility, laying off 66 employees.
In total, more than 1,300 workers across 17 companies have been affected in South Carolina so far this year.
What the Law Says About Layoffs
There are rules that companies must follow when laying off employees.
The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act), introduced in 1988, requires companies to give at least 60 days’ notice before major layoffs or closures.
This notice period helps workers:
- Search for new jobs
- Learn new skills or training
- Plan their finances
However, not all companies follow this rule strictly, as seen in some recent cases.
Why Layoffs Are Still Happening
South Carolina has been growing fast, especially in industries like:
- Automotive manufacturing
- Construction
- Aerospace
But growth does not guarantee stability for every company. Some businesses face financial problems, bankruptcy, or changing market demands. When that happens, layoffs become unavoidable.
