Mass layoffs have become all too common in the business world over the last few years, and logistics companies haven’t been immune, with a wide range of businesses culling their workforce to stay competitive.
The logistics industry has been taking its fair share of hits in 2025. Between the economic turmoil created by tariffs to the trucker shortage crisis, the supply chain is seemingly always dealing with some serious issues.
In this guide, we’ll showcase some of the logistics businesses that have made layoffs in 2025, making note of when and how many employees lost their jobs.
DHL
Large companies are just as susceptible to layoffs as small startups, which was evident when DHL announced that it would be closing down a package handling facility in Ontario, California in May. The move will see 364 employees out of work as early as July 1st and as late as August 31st.
DHL explained that “one of its customers will be relocating a part of their distribution operations,” which is what led to the decision to reduce its operations.
Grede
Grede, a Michigan-based company, announced to its employees in February that it would be closing a facility in Alabama that would leave 220 employees out of a job. More specifically, 130 hourly workers, 30 salaried employees, and 60 third-party contractors were laid off.
The company has decided not to close the facility after ceasing manufacturing functionality, and instead find another purpose within the company for the location.
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Bunzl Distribution
In April, Bunzl Distribution announced that it would no longer operate its facility in Memphis, Tennessee. The UK-based company plans to close down the location by June 30th, 2025, which will result in 106 employees being laid off.
All employees will have the option to transfer to another facility in Piperton, Tennessee, which is admittedly less than an hour drive from Memphis, but could still provide logistical issues for those impacted.
Hood Container
According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Notice filed on April 15th, Hood Container is closing down a South Carolina warehousing and sheet plant location by June 15th. The closure will result in 60 workers losing their jobs.
Adient Plc
Adient Plc has already gone through two rounds of layoffs in 2025. In April, the seating manufacturing company closed two facilities in Tennessee. The locations will permanently be closed on June 27 and account for 415 jobs lost.
Then, in May, Adient Plc announced more locations closures and layoffs, with 95 losing their jobs due to a location closure in Columbia.
Saks Global
Saks Global has been forced to layoff employees a few times this year, after the acquisition by Neiman Marcus in December 2024. Most notably, the company shuttered a Tennessee fulfilment center that employed some 450 workers.
On top of that, Saks Global has laid off an additional 550 employees — about 3% of its workforce — from corporation positions in New York and other offices around the country.
C&S Wholesale Grocers
In early May, C&S Wholesale Grocers filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Notice that it would closing a facility in Florida. As a result, 490 employees would be laid off, starting in the two-week period starting on the 4th of July.
Prior to that, the company filed similar forms that informed the public of its plan to eliminate some customer service roles in Hawaii, Vermont, New Jersey, Texas and New York, impacting at least 76 employees in February 2025.
Saddle Creek Logistics Services
In late May, Saddle Creek Logistics Services announced that it would be laying off approximately 88 employees from its location in Bartlett, Tennessee. The Atlanta-based company is also shutting down the location moving forward.
Saddle Creek Logistics Services filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Notice on Wednesday, May 28th, and layoffs will begin on July 31st, according to the company.
FedEx
A logistics site for FedEx is reportedly being shut down in North Texas. A WARN notice was filed on May 20th, which explained that 305 employees would be losing their jobs in Forth Worth.
According to a spokesperson for FedEx, the company has provided resources to impacted employees, including “job placement assistance, relocation aid, or severance.”
Why Are Layoffs in Logistics So Common?
Given the list above, it’s understandable to wonder what is going on with the logistics industry. Mass layoffs certainly aren’t a good sign for any industry, and while logistics certainly isn’t alone in this trend, there are some unique reasons why this trend has hit companies so hard in 2025.
- Tariff turmoil – President Trump has been handing down tariffs on what feels like a weekly basis, which has seriously decreased the number of products being shipped into the US. As a result, logistics businesses are preparing for leaner times by laying off employees.
- Rising costs – Logistics companies are also trying to reduce their workforce because the cost of doing business is on the rise. From driver shortages increasing wages to inflation hitting maintenance needs, businesses need to cut the fat somewhere.
- Automation – While self-driving trucks are still in the testing phase, other forms of automation like AI have been quick to replace human workers, leading to more and more layoffs.
It doesn’t seem like tariffs, automation, or inflation are going anywhere soon, which means businesses in the logistics industry may need to brace for tough times as far as layoffs are concerned.
Stay Up to Date With Logistics
One surefire way to make sure that your business doesn’t need to resort to layoffs is to be successful enough that you are financial secure, even through tough times. To do that, you’ll definitely want to stay abreast of everything going on in the logistics industry and the business world in general, which is where we can help.
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