An engine manufacturer is laying off 1,700 workers due to drop in sales

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In a recent move that’s bound to shake things up, Mercury Marine has announced a series of partial layoffs affecting about 1,700 employees at their Fond du Lac headquarters. The company, grappling with a decline in sales, is implementing these layoffs throughout the rest of the year.

Back in June, Mercury Marine initially revealed that 300 positions would be cut, but now the company is providing more clarity on what this means for their workforce. According to a memo obtained by FOX 11, Plant 15 hourly workers will face "short-term layoffs" on specific workdays over the next several months. These layoffs are scheduled from July 1-12, Aug. 26-Sept. 6, Sept. 23-Oct. 4, and Oct. 21-Nov. 1.

Lee Gordon, Mercury Marine's vice president of corporate communications, emphasized that these are temporary adjustments rather than permanent layoffs. Essentially, it means there will be days when the plant will not be in operation, and on these days, impacted employees won’t be working. However, they will have the option to file for unemployment benefits during these off periods.

Mercury Marine, the largest employer in Fond du Lac with a workforce of over 3,000, is making these tough decisions as it navigates a challenging market environment. The company’s move to staggered layoffs is an attempt to balance operational needs with the current economic realities, but it’s a difficult period for the many workers affected.

This news is likely to stir conversations and concerns within the local community, as the impact of such significant workforce adjustments can be deeply felt. As the company works through these changes, both employees and the wider community will be watching closely to see how Mercury Marine adapts to these economic pressures.

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