Foodservice equipment maker to close plants, reduce workforce

Welbilt Inc. shutters half of its North American manufacturing facilities, as well as three overseas plants, and lays off 200 workers.

By Business Observer Staff
| 11:35 a.m. April 9, 2020
| 0 Free Articles Remaining!

Welbilt, a foodservice equipment maker headquartered in New Port Richey, has seen a slowdown in demand and sales as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Courtesy photo.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

NEW PORT RICHEY — Welbilt Inc. (NYSE: WBT), a $1.6 billion maker of foodservice equipment, has seen a drop in demand because of the COVID-19 crisis and has taken steps to reduce costs, including layoffs and plant closures.

In a press release, the New Port Richey company says it will shutter five of its 10 North American plants for one to two weeks, as well as three of its six facilities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The firm’s plants in Asia will continue to operate on normal schedules.