Jacuzzi is shutting down its Valdosta bathtub factory, a move that will cut more than 100 jobs and end long-running production at the south Georgia site. Company officials say the decision tracks a steady shift in consumer demand away from traditional bathtubs and toward shower-focused products.
As reported by The Atlanta Journal‑Constitution, the California‑based manufacturer informed state officials in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification that the Valdosta plant will be shuttered and that more than 100 positions are affected. The company told the paper it plans to consolidate production at another U.S. facility to better align with current market demand.
According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed with the Technical College System of Georgia, the closure was formally reported to state workforce officials. The WARN listings on the agency's site serve as the state's public repository for recent notices from employers.
Jacuzzi's own sustainability reporting identifies Valdosta as one of its manufacturing locations and highlights recent waste‑reduction and recycling work at the facility. The Jacuzzi Group sustainability report points to site‑level projects that were part of the company's broader efficiency efforts.
What This Means For Valdosta
The Valdosta plant traces its roots back to BathCraft and became part of a state‑backed growth push in the 2000s. A 2007 notice documented a factory expansion and added jobs tied to Jacuzzi operations, an early sign that the site was being positioned as a regional manufacturing foothold. Georgia.org chronicled that earlier expansion, and local leaders are now expected to focus on connecting displaced workers with job openings and training options.
State Manufacturing Picture
Across Georgia, the manufacturing story so far in 2026 has been mixed. Some sub‑sectors are contracting even as the broader labor market continues to notch gains. Recent releases from the Georgia Department of Labor and federal employment data show pockets of manufacturing losses alongside growth in health care and other industries. Georgia Department of Labor data provide the statewide backdrop for the Valdosta cuts.
WARN And Worker Support
Under the federal WARN Act, covered employers generally must give 60 days' notice before a plant closing or mass layoff, a buffer that is designed to give workers and communities at least some time to regroup. Rapid‑response teams then work with companies and affected employees to arrange services such as job search help and training referrals. The U.S. Department of Labor explains WARN requirements and resources for displaced workers, including re‑employment and training programs. The U.S. Department of Labor provides an overview of rights and next steps for employees facing a shutdown.
As of publication, local officials had not released a detailed plan for reemployment, and the facility's EPA TRI profile lists the plant at 512 Highland Drive in Valdosta. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data include the address and recent site reporting that underscore the facility's role in Jacuzzi's manufacturing footprint.
