Southwire to close Waukegan factory; ‘The 135 employees will be able to find meaningful work in this environment’

An $8 billion global maker of electrical products that employs 135 people in Waukegan will close its local factory effective Dec. 16 as part of a long-term strategy aimed at efficiency and customer service.

Southwire, a privately held and family controlled manufacturer of electrical products, announced Wednesday at its Georgia headquarters it plans to close its Waukegan manufacturing plant as part of an overall long-term company approach.

Rebecca Cranford, Southwire’s senior vice president of manufacturing, said in an email Thursday the decision was not a “reflection on the people” nor the quality or performance of the local plant.

“As we move ahead with our long-term strategy, we must ensure we are properly aligned to make the best use of our facilities and best meet the needs of our customers,” she wrote. “The decision is (not) one we take lightly.”

The company said in a news release Wednesday impacted workers will have an opportunity to apply for open positions in the company. Those who do not want to move to another facility will be offered severance benefits and outplacement help.

Along with its Waukegan factory, a company spokesperson said Southwire operates a sales and support office in Lincolnshire, as well as a plant in Carol Stream which makes tools, components and other items.

Kevin Considine, the president and CEO of Lake County Partners, said he will be sorry to see Southwire leave Waukegan, but added those left without jobs will be in a good environment to look for work.

“The 135 employees will be able to find meaningful work in this environment,” Considine said. “Manufacturing growth is very fast in Lake County. We are well beyond the pre-pandemic level, and continuing to grow.”

Rich Stinson, the company’s president and CEO, said in the release Southwire will make an effort to assure the next few months go smoothly as the change unfolds. He, too, said closing the factory was not a snap decision.

“We will ensure that those affected are treated with dignity and respect during this transition,” he said. “These types of decisions are never easy and I want to say thank you to our employees in Waukegan for their years of service and contributions to Southwire.”

After the company closes its Waukegan facility, it said in the email the flexible cord, tray cable and cord sets will be made in other Southwire facilities. The company has more than 8,500 workers worldwide.

Among the products Southwire and its subsidiaries make in other facilities are building wire and cable, utility products, metal-clad cable, portable and electronic cord products and engineered products, the company said in the email

The company also said it supplies assembled products, contractor equipment, electrical components, hand tools and job site power and lighting solutions, along with a variety of field and support services to customers around the world.

Southwire began in Waukegan in 2014 when it acquired Coleman Cable and began operating out of the local facility, the company said. It generated revenue of $8 billion in 2021 at all of its operations.