by Kevin Zimmermann
SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) – A 142-employee staff is down to just 21 as of this morning at Sheboygan sock-maker Wigwam Mills. The permanent mass layoff was announced in a letter to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and reported by local media, and was blamed on the impact that COVID-19 has had on operations and sales. The announcement fell short of the 60-day advance notice required by federal and state law but, according to the letter, “unforseen adverse circumstances” forced short notice. A fall in demand due to the closure of retailers over the past two months was blamed for pushing the situation beyond a tipping point.
General Manager of Operations Chris Chesebro said in the letter that Wigwam would work with lower-seniority union members to help them find other local jobs, and hopes to provide a smooth transition for most. Chesebro said the company isn’t done, pointing to an uptick in e-commerce, and that Wigwam intends to remain operating in Sheboygan even as some of the operations go elsewhere.
