Neenah Foundry Co. plans to end melting and casting operations at its Lincoln, NE, plant on December 31. According to a September 9 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filing with the Nebraska Dept. of Labor, the closing will affect all the employees there (approximately 103, it states.)
WARN is a federal regulation that requires businesses with more than 100 employees at a location to provide 60 days’ notice of planned layoffs or downsizing that affects more than 33% of the workforce.
Local news reports indicate that Neenah Foundry will continue to operate the site as a distribution center, beginning in 2026. The group lists 12 current distribution centers nationwide for infrastructure castings, for municipalities, utility companies, airports, construction projects, roadways, and so forth.
“We credit the success of the Lincoln plant to the dedication of our team of over 100 people, many of whom have been with us for decades,” according to Neenah Foundry president and CEO Vik Bhatia, in a press release. “We are grateful for their dedicated service to our company and our customers.”
In the WARN notice, Neenah Foundry added: “We will make every effort to assist impacted employees and coordinate with Nebraska Reemployment Services to provide transition assistance. In addition, we are providing each employee with the opportunity for a stay incentive.”
The Lincoln gray iron plant was long-known as Deeter Foundry prior to its takeover by Neenah Enterprises in 1998. It has been an important manufacturer of iron castings for manhole drains, frames, and hole covers, grates, hatches, and similar products.
Neenah Foundry is a holding of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry, acquired in 2022.
