News Summary
The city of Greer is set to face job losses as Proterra Powered, a manufacturer of electric vehicle batteries, reveals plans to lay off 85 workers by March 2025. These layoffs come amid production challenges at the Greer facility and follow similar job cuts at other local companies. The situation raises concerns for the local economy and job security as Spartanburg County braces for potential further layoffs.
Greer Faces Job Losses as Proterra Announces Layoffs
In a surprising turn of events, the city of Greer is bracing itself for job losses as Proterra Powered, a well-known manufacturer of batteries for electric vehicles, announced a permanent layoff of 85 workers at its factory in Spartanburg County. This decision takes effect on March 6, 2025, leaving many workers concerned about the future.
Challenges Facing Production
Proterra’s Greer facility has faced its share of production challenges in recent months. Dwayne Hatchett, who is the Director of Existing Industry at OneSpartanburg, visited the plant on March 5, just a day before the layoffs were announced. During his visit, Proterra hinted at potential plans to increase production capacity, but surprisingly did not mention the looming layoffs that would soon affect dozens of families.
The plant itself operates in **two main segments** – production and storage. This duality might seem like a positive move for the business, but it hasn’t shielded the employees from being impacted by these layoffs. Concerns about overall job stability have now surfaced within the community.
What About Other Local Companies?
Adding to the woes, Proterra isn’t the only company in Spartanburg County making tough decisions. The agricultural tire maker, Yokohama TWS North America, also recently announced plans to shut down its Spartanburg plant, which adds another 90 job cuts to the equation. The local economy is feeling the pressure as multiple companies face challenges that jeopardize employment rates.
A Look at Proterra’s Journey
Proterra specializes in designing and assembling batteries for medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles, and its Greer plant was supposed to be a booming hub for job creation. In 2021, the company announced a significant $76 million investment to establish the Greer assembly plant, which was expected to create over 200 new jobs in the area. This was good news for Greer’s economy, offering hope and growth.
To aid its operations during tough times, Proterra received a $10 million loan from the Paycheck Protection Program in 2020, which was forgiven in 2022. These funds allowed the company some breathing room, but not enough to prevent the current layoffs.
Shift in Ownership
Last year, Proterra faced significant financial trouble and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2023. What followed was a swift acquisition by Swedish auto manufacturer Volvo in November 2023, which bought Proterra’s business assets for $210 million. With this acquisition, Volvo has expressed its commitment to bolster its battery-electric roadmap, suggesting a brighter future, albeit for a different operational outlook.
The Path Ahead
Despite these troubling times, Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt has emphasized that Proterra does not plan to close the facility completely. Instead, they are looking to consolidate production shifts due to a mix of market volatility, ongoing supply chain issues, and the expiration of federal subsidies for electric vehicles.
Many local leaders remain concerned that these layoffs may not be isolated incidents. Economic forecasts hint at a potential recession, raising alarms for the future of job security in Spartanburg County.
For now, Proterra continues to operate under its name post-acquisition, signaling hope for the company’s ongoing journey towards delivering premier batteries and services for commercial electric vehicles. Nevertheless, the layoffs mark another chapter of uncertainty for Greer’s hardworking residents.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Spartanburg Layoffs
- Wikipedia: Proterra
- FreightWaves: Proterra Bankruptcy
- Google Search: Proterra electric vehicles
- TechCrunch: Proterra’s EV Battery Factory
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Electric vehicles
- Post and Courier: Proterra Bankruptcy
- Google News: Proterra
