South SFV Today

Rep. Ro Khanna, a member of the U.S. Congress representing California's 17th district, recently addressed several closures affecting American workers in a series of tweets dated January 26, 2025. His comments highlight the impact on employment and call for legislative action to support American industries.

In one tweet, Khanna discussed the closure of Gunite Corp. and KIC LLC, a commercial vehicle wheel manufacturer based in Rockford, Illinois. He stated that "When Gunite Corp. and KIC LLC, a commercial vehicle wheel manufacturer based in Rockford, Illinois, permanently closed, 327 employees were fired." The company was unable to find a large buyer or investor before closing its doors "Gunite was Rockford’s oldest manufacturer and closed because it could not find a large buyer or investor."

Another tweet from Khanna focused on the closure of Associated Materials, LLC in Fife, Washington. He reported that "In Fife, Washington, 150 Americans were fired when Associated Materials, LLC, a building materials manufacturer closed its doors." The decision was part of a strategy to consolidate U.S. operations and focus more on Canadian markets "The company consolidated its U.S. operations to increase its focus on Canadian operations."

In Vicksburg, Mississippi, Cooper Lighting Solutions also ceased operations permanently due to consolidation efforts leading to offshoring activities in Camargo, Mexico. As mentioned by Khanna: "80 workers were laid off when Cooper Lighting Solutions...closed permanently due to consolidation and offshoring efforts to Camargo, Mexico" .