Freight-related firms across US hit with 218 layoffs

Related: Texas supply chain-related firms hit with 285 layoffs

Other companies recently announcing layoffs include Averitt Express, ShipBob and Henry Avocado Corp.

Less-than-truckload carrier Averitt Express is laying off 55 employees and closing a facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, as a result of losing a customer, according to a filing with the state.

The affected workers at Averitt Express are among a total 218 employees being laid off at freight-related companies in Florida, California, Ohio and Texas.

Cookeville, Tennessee-based Averitt said Costco did not renew a contract to provide transportation and logistics services for a distribution center in the area. The layoffs include 51 truck drivers and will be finalized by Sept. 1. Officials for Averitt said they are working to offer job transfers to all affected employees.

E-commerce fulfillment platform ShipBob is relocating two operations in Dallas and Grapevine, Texas, to a new facility in Fort Worth. The relocations will result in 51 job cuts. However, employees will be offered the opportunity to transfer to the new facility, company officials said. 

“Any employee who declines the transfer offer will be laid-off on Sept. 19,” ShipBob officials said in state filings. ShipBob is based in Chicago and has more than 50 fulfillment centers around the world.

Produce grower and distributor Henry Avocado Corp. announced it is closing several distribution and growing facilities in California that will result in 27 farm laborers being laid off. The closures include two facilities in Riverside County and five in San Diego County.

Escondido, California-based Henry Avocado grows and distributes avocados from California, Mexico, Peru and Chile.

Officials for Henry Avocado did not provide a reason for the closure of the facilities in state filings. Company officials did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The layoffs will be finalized by Aug. 31.