West Alabama Works Finds Jobs For Yanfeng Employees Ahead of Plant Closure

A Tuscaloosa-based organization is stepping up to help 90 workers who may soon be without jobs after an automotive supplier in Cottondale permanently closes later this month.

Yanfeng US Automotive Interior Systems in Cottondale announced in late March that they will end all operations at their facility around June 19th.

The decision will impact more than 90 employees, and West Alabama Works is partnering with local, state and automotive industry partners to find new jobs for those who will be laid off later this month.

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In a Wednesday press release, a West Alabama Works spokesperson said some affected employees will have the opportunity to transfer to other Yanfeng locations and others have already been offered jobs at nearby automotive suppliers as soon as the plant closes, but others still need help finding the next step.

Representatives from West Alabama Works, the Alabama Department of Commerce, AIDT and the Tuscaloosa Career Center met with some of those displaced workers last week to discuss options.

Now the workforce development organization has arranged onsite interviews this week with other nearby companies including Lear Corporation, SMP Automotive, ZF Chassis and Martinrea, giving the laid off Yanfeng workers the opportunity to walk right into other positions in the area.

“Many of these employees will have the opportunity before the doors close at Yanfeng to have conversations with the participating companies they would not normally be able to have if they were just going to the workforce to find a job,” said West Alabama Works Executive Director Donny Jones.

For more updates on the automotive industry and workforce development in Tuscaloosa County, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.