GXO Logistics to Shutter Romeoville Facility, Cutting 32 Jobs in Spring Restructuring
In a move reflecting broader shifts in the supply chain and logistics sector, GXO Logistics, Inc. has filed official notice of its plan to close a key facility in Romeoville, Illinois, resulting in the elimination of 32 jobs this spring.
The Connecticut-based company, a major player in global contract logistics, submitted a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) to the state on January 21. The filing indicates the plant at 1551 W. Normantown Road will cease operations, with permanent layoffs effective April 4.
A company spokesperson framed the decision as a strategic realignment. "This difficult decision is part of an ongoing evaluation of our network to meet changing business needs," the statement read. "We are committed to supporting our impacted team members, who will have priority consideration for open positions at other GXO locations serving different clients."
GXO maintains a significant footprint in Illinois beyond the Romeoville site, including a distribution center in Belvidere and a plant in Aurora. The closure suggests a consolidation of operations rather than a full retreat from the region, analysts note. The logistics industry has faced pressure to optimize networks following the pandemic-driven surge in demand, with many firms now adjusting to more normalized, cost-conscious volumes.
The announcement deals another blow to the local industrial workforce and raises questions about the long-term stability of logistics jobs as companies increasingly automate and reconfigure distribution hubs.
Community Voices React
Michael Torres, 54, Former Romeoville Plant Supervisor: "I gave 18 years to that facility. This isn't just a 'business need'—it's a broken promise to a community that supported them. They talk about transferring us, but those Belvidere or Aurora roles are a long commute, and there's no guarantee. It feels like we're just numbers on a spreadsheet."
Lisa Chen, Supply Chain Analyst at Midwest University: "While painful locally, this is indicative of the sector's maturation. Companies like GXO are rationalizing their physical networks post-pandemic. The focus is on mega-hubs and automation. Unfortunately, mid-sized, older facilities often bear the brunt of this efficiency drive."
David R. Miller, Romeoville Village Trustee: "We're disappointed but not surprised. We've seen this trend. Our immediate priority is working with state agencies to provide rapid response services—retraining, job fairs, benefits counseling—for these workers and their families."
Sarah Johnson, 38, Logistics Worker: "'Changing business needs'? That's corporate speak for boosting shareholder value. They made record profits during COVID because of workers like us. Now they're cutting us loose. It's a brutal cycle that shows who really gets sacrificed when 'strategy' shifts."
This report includes analysis and community reaction following the initial WARN notice filed by GXO Logistics.