Local layoffs, trade uncertainty, and evolving hiring practices are shaping workforce decisions across Ohio. Here’s what manufacturers should watch and where to focus next.
Springfield Layoffs Reshape Local Hiring
Nearly 1,400 workers lost their jobs at the former Navistar truck factory in Springfield, according to the Associated Press, creating an influx of available talent in the Dayton-Springfield region.
Middletown Packaging Plant to Close
Packaging Corporation of America plans to close its Baltimore Street facility in Middletown, affecting 91 employees. Local 12 reports that most are expected to finish December 1st as production shifts to other operations.
Trade Uncertainty Complicates Planning
An article in The Columbus Dispatch identifies Ohio’s machinery, transportation, mineral, and metal industries as exposed to uncertainty in U.S.–Canada trade.
Employer takeaway: Check with suppliers on costs and timelines before planning production. Keep your staffing plan flexible so you’re ready to pivot for any delay in materials, production needs, or a change in financing.
Statewide Growth Tells a Different Story
Ohio manufacturing employment increased by 500 jobs from August 2025 to August 2026, according to the state’s August Labor Market Review. That measure predates the recent Springfield layoffs.
Employer takeaway: Statewide growth doesn’t always reveal the state of local hiring. Expand your recruiting reach across Ohio by connecting with staffing firms to handle the market research, recruiting, scheduling, and screening so you can focus on maintaining your operations.
According to the Ohio labor-market release calendar, September’s statewide employment figures are scheduled for October 16, followed by local unemployment data October 20.
Second-Chance Hiring Gets an Update
Effective September 23, Ohio House Bill 268 allows eligible individuals with felony convictions to petition for a Certificate of Qualification for Employment one year after release from incarceration, even while still under supervision. The Ohio Judicial Conference’s enactment summary explains the change.
Employer takeaway: Review how your hiring process identifies and considers CQE holders. Eligibility to apply does not mean a certificate has been granted.
AI Access Needs Clear Rules
In its October 2 article, “AI at Work Requires More Than a Login,” the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association highlights workplace AI risks involving confidential information, outdated documents, and minimal human oversight.
Make Onboarding Easier to Follow
The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s September 11 onboarding update cites an Adobe survey where employees received an average of 13 onboarding documents and spent approximately 12 hours reviewing first-week materials. Respondents considered only 60% necessary.
Employer takeaway: Prioritize effective safety, job training, attendance expectations, and a clear contact for questions. Check in after the first shift and first week.
Your October Focus
- Recruit with local market knowledge.
- Plan for changing orders.
- Review best hiring practices.
- Make the first week count.
Changing demand calls for a flexible staffing plan. Let’s talk about yours today!