Kansas City Faces Potential Job Losses as True Value Hardware Plans Layoffs
Kansas City, Mo. — There’s some tough news on the horizon for the city’s workforce. True Value Hardware, a company that has stood the test of time for 76 years, has notified state officials of its intention to potentially lay off nearly 70 employees and close its distribution center located in south Kansas City before the end of the year. This comes on the heels of the company’s recent filing for bankruptcy protection earlier this month.
A Major Shift for True Value
In an announcement, True Value stated that its assets may be taken over by a competing company, Do it Best. This shift is significant, especially for the loyal employees and the larger retail community in Kansas City. In a filing made on October 15, True Value’s chief human resource officer, Irma Quintana, expressed concern over the future of the Kansas City distribution center, situated at 14900 U.S. Highway 71.
If the sale to Do it Best—or any other buyer—doesn’t proceed as planned, the company could find itself winding down operations around mid-December. Although this situation is difficult, Quintana emphasized in the filing that the company is striving to preserve jobs and avoid, or at least delay, facility closures.
Community Impact
The potential layoffs are understandably distressing for the employees involved, especially since many are represented by Local 541 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. This union has consistently advocated for workers’ rights, but the situation raises questions about how many jobs will actually remain intact if the distribution center closes.
Quintana noted that while union employees at the Kansas City facility have certain “bumping rights” in layoff scenarios, those rights would not hold if the entire center were to close. This changes the stakes considerably for all employees, making the upcoming months of uncertainty all the more stressful.
What About the Stores?
In light of this looming crisis, it’s crucial to note that the notice regarding layoffs and potential closures pertains solely to the distribution center. The True Value stores, which are independently owned and operated, will not be directly affected by this notice—for now, at least. There are seven True Value locations in and around Kansas City, but it’s currently unclear which, if any, of these stores may see impacts down the line.
Residents and employees are hoping for the best as negotiations and assessments move forward. The vibrant community has always had a strong base of loyal customers who appreciate local businesses, making the potential loss of jobs and services especially concerning.
A Hope for the Future
True Value is facing a significant transitional period as it navigates through the bankruptcy process. The company believes that taking these steps may be essential in safeguarding jobs and ensuring the best possible outcome for its employees and the communities they serve. Whatever happens, all eyes will be on Kansas City as the situation unfolds in the coming weeks.
While uncertainty looms, the hope remains that True Value can emerge from this challenging time and continue serving its loyal customer base in Kansas City. For now, the focus will remain on keeping the lines of communication open and ensuring that everyone affected is updated on any developments.
