Key Highlights
- Rotek Inc. will shut down its Florence, Kentucky, manufacturing facility in 2026, impacting 77 employees.
- Layoffs will occur in phases between February and September 2026, according to a WARN notice filing.
- The closure is part of an operational consolidation with ThyssenKrupp’s Aurora, Ohio, facility.
Rotek Inc., a manufacturing unit owned by Germany’s industrial giant ThyssenKrupp, will permanently close its manufacturing facility in Florence, Kentucky, in 2026.
The company confirmed that 77 employees working at the site located at 8085 Production Drive will be laid off as part of the shutdown, underscoring continued pressures on U.S. manufacturing bases and strategic shifts within global supply chains.
According to a WARN notice filed with the Kentucky Career Center’s Office of Employer & Apprenticeship Services, the closure will be implemented in stages. Layoffs are scheduled to begin on February 13, 2026, and conclude by September 16, 2026. Affected employees have been notified and will be laid off as part of the process.
Facility Produces Critical Industrial Components
The facility, located at 8085 Production Drive, specializes in the production of slewing bearings and related components, including ball and roller slewing bearings and wire-race slewing bearings. These components are widely used in cranes, wind turbines, tunneling machines, and other heavy industrial applications.
Rotek’s products play a key role in large-scale infrastructure and renewable energy projects, particularly in wind power equipment manufacturing.
Consolidation of Operations Cited as Reason for Closure
In a letter submitted through the state’s WARN Notice System, a ThyssenKrupp representative stated that the closure is part of a broader effort to consolidate operations between Florence, Kentucky, and Aurora, Ohio.
While the company did not provide further details on future production plans, the move reflects ongoing restructuring efforts within global industrial manufacturing as companies streamline operations and adjust to shifting market conditions.
Broader Manufacturing Trends
The closure of the Florence plant is part of a larger pattern of manufacturing readjustments in the U.S. as companies optimize supply chains and concentrate production where they see long-term strategic advantages.
Rotek’s decision follows years of investments in its Ohio operations, including expansions to meet growing demand for slewing ring bearings and other heavy mechanical parts.
Impact and Next Steps
The closure will have increased activity in job retraining and assistance initiatives aimed at helping employees transition to new roles or industries.
For now, Rotek and parent ThyssenKrupp say they remain committed to their broader operations in the region, even as they shift production out of Florence to maintain competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global market.
