Whirlpool to Slash Jobs at Amana Plant Amid Production Shift to Mexico

Amana, Iowa – Whirlpool Corporation is set to lay off nearly 350 workers at its Amana, Iowa, manufacturing facility on March 9, 2026, with further reductions anticipated later in the year, potentially leaving the plant with as few as 500-600 employees. The cuts are part of a broader trend of production moving from the United States to Mexico, sparking outcry from union leaders and raising concerns about the future of American manufacturing.

Layoffs and Plant Downsizing

The initial round of layoffs will affect 341 workers, according to a notice filed with Iowa Workforce Development [The Gazette]. This follows a previous reduction of approximately 250 jobs at the same plant last summer. Union officials warn that a second round of layoffs in the second quarter of 2026 could further shrink the workforce.

Just five years ago, the Amana plant employed over 3,000 workers. Today, the workforce stands between 1,200 and 1,300. After the planned layoffs, staffing levels are projected to fall to between 500 and 600 [The Gazette].

The reduction in workforce is mirrored by a decrease in production capacity. The plant is transitioning from five assembly lines to just one, which will also be reduced from two shifts to one by the complete of the second quarter of 2026 [The Gazette].

Shift in Production to Mexico

Union leaders, including Sam Cicinelli, Midwest territory general vice president for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), attribute the layoffs to a deliberate strategy of shifting production to Mexico [The Gazette]. “It’s not just a one-time business decision — it’s a calculated plan,” Cicinelli stated.

In 2023, Whirlpool announced a $160 million investment to expand its plant in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico, which currently produces an estimated 300,000 refrigerators annually [MSN]. Whirlpool operates five manufacturing facilities in Mexico.

Union Response and Concerns

The IAM Union has strongly condemned Whirlpool’s actions, calling it a pattern of corporate abandonment [IAM Union]. The union is seeking assistance from Iowa’s congressional delegation and state officials to halt the layoffs.

Union officials report that Whirlpool is not offering severance packages to the laid-off workers, and they will immediately lose health insurance benefits [The Gazette].

Whirlpool’s Stance

Whirlpool maintains that the layoffs are part of a multi-year modernization plan designed to transform the Amana plant into a “dynamic operation” focused on refrigerator production, warehousing, parts production, and sub-assembly work [The Gazette]. A company spokesperson stated that the Amana facility “is a vital part of the company’s U.S. Manufacturing footprint.”

However, union officials anticipate that the primary investment at the Amana plant will be in warehousing, with the facility essentially becoming a storage and parts-kitting center [The Gazette].

The spokesperson also stated that the jobs affected are not being moved to Mexico, and the Amana factory will continue to produce two-door bottom-mount and French door refrigerators [The Gazette].