Layoffs Begin as CNH Industrial America Closes in Burlington

It’s the kind of news folks hoped would never come, but have been dreading. The rolling layoffs are now underway at CNH Industrial in Burlington, marking the final stage of a shutdown that has been unfolding for over a year.

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The story began in November 2024, when CNH first announced plans to close the Burlington plant. The company finalized that decision in November 2025 with the United Auto Workers. By early 2026, official WARN notices confirmed the timeline, which is now underway. Layoffs started in March and will continue through late May.

Instead of one large layoff, the company will eliminate the 209 workers in phases. The largest group leaves in early April, and smaller groups will follow through the end of May. This approach allows the company to wind down manufacturing in steps as it shifts production elsewhere.

CNH says it remains committed to supporting affected employees. The company planned strong separation packages negotiated with the UAW. Packages included severance pay, continued health insurance, job training, and replacement assistance. Additionally, CNH engineering teams and a state-of-the-art proving ground will remain active in Burlington.

A century of work winding down

This closure ends more than 100 years of manufacturing in Burlington. The plant has long been tied to the legacy of Case equipment. Generations of local families worked in the facility after it opened in 1937 as the "backhoe capital of the world."

CNH operates as a global manufacturer with roots in other brands like Steyr, Raven, and New Holland. The company produces agricultural and construction equipment for markets around the world. In recent years, CNH has adjusted its operations to match changes in demand and production needs.

The company says demand for its backhoe line had dropped by nearly half over the past decade in Burlington. That decline made the facility harder to sustain, and it was the likeliest to be cut. CNH decided to shift resources elsewhere and reduce excess capacity, something many businesses are starting to do, known as "economic sustainability practices."

Impact Beyond Burlington

Burlington is not the only community affected by CNH’s changes. The company has made similar adjustments in other locations as it streamlines operations. These decisions often reflect broader shifts in manufacturing strategy, especially with a global brand that operates many facilities.

Other companies in the same industry have faced similar challenges. John Deere has also reduced parts of its workforce in recent years. Those cuts affected several Midwest facilities, including those in Dubuque. At the same time, Deere has brought back some jobs in the area. That shows how companies continue to adjust staffing based on demand.

The situation in Burlington reflects a larger trend across Iowa. Manufacturing remains a key part of the state’s economy, but it continues to change. Companies now focus on sustainability through efficiency, automation, and adjusting to shifting market demands. In many cases, reinvestment from failing sites to currently successful operations within the existing structure is the go-to. Unfortunately, that strategy often leads to the closure of plants in markets deemed "underperforming."