Missouri Auto Industry Takes Another Hit as Chinese Auto Supplier Closes Plant

444 Workers to Lose Jobs as Yanfeng Closes Missouri Factory in November

Photo byKyle BroadonUnsplash

Yanfeng International Automotive Technology Co. Ltd. announced it will shut down its factory in Riverside, Missouri, in November 2024, resulting in the layoff of 444 employees.

Under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, companies must file an advance notice when planning to lay off 50 or more employees. This ensures state and local assistance can be provided to those affected. Yanfeng filed a WARN Notice with the Missouri Office of Workforce Development advising 444 employees would be laid off.

This move comes as General Motors plans to end production of the Chevrolet Malibu at a nearby assembly plant around the same time, impacting the auto parts supply chain in the region.

The Yanfeng facility, specializes in producing automotive interior components. The decision to close the plant comes as part of broader industry challenges, with automotive suppliers facing the ripple effects of reduced demand and production shifts.

This is not the first closure to hit the Riverside area in recent months. Just last week, automotive manufacturer Adient notified Missouri officials that it would be laying off 172 workers at its own facility. Both closures will affect members of the United Auto Workers Local 710, further straining the local workforce and economy.

The job cuts signal a significant impact on Missouri’s automotive sector, as the state grapples with wider disruptions in the industry.

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