Manatee steel plant to close, 55 job cuts planned

A Nebraska-based steel manufacturer will close its Manatee County plant by the end of the year. Behlen Manufacturing Co., which is headquartered in Columbus, Nebraska, says 55 employees will be affected, according to a notice posted on the Worker Adjustment and Training Notification website maintained by Florida Commerce. 

The layoffs are expected to occur Dec. 18, according to the WARN notice. 

High production costs of manufacturing in the Southeast coupled with higher supply chain costs including materials and freight were factors in the decision to close, the WARN letter says.

“This was a difficult decision, particularly because of the impact it will have on our employees in Sarasota,” Behlen Manufacturing CEO Tom Boal says in a statement. “While the decision to close a facility is never easy, we must continue making strategic decisions that strengthen our operations and position Behlen for long-term success.”

Moving forward, Behlen Manufacturing Co. will transition its operations from the Tallevast Road facility to Columbus, Nebraska. Consolidating production in the Midwest will improve operational efficiency, enable the company to use existing resources better and strengthen its competitive position in the market, according to the WARN letter.

The company has committed to providing retention incentives, career counseling and job placement assistance for the 55 employees affected at the Manatee County location. 

Behlen Manufacturing Co. is a steel fabrication company with several divisions. The Tallevast Road plant was part of Behlen Building Systems, which makes pre-engineered metal buildings. The facility was previously known as Trident Building Systems, founded in 1986. It was rebranded as part of Behlen Building Systems in 2024 after Behlen acquired Trident in 2020. In addition to Columbus, Nebraska, Behlen has manufacturing facilities in Baker City, Oregon; McGregor, Texas; and Springfield, Ohio.