A state WARN filing made June 24, 2026, and local reporting published June 25 say Enkei America will permanently close its Jacksonville wheel plant, cutting about 62 jobs and winding down operations later this summer. The move pulls a long-running manufacturing operation off Wheels Road and leaves workers and nearby suppliers scrambling to replace lost wages and production capacity.
State notice spells out timeline and headcount
The employer filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification with the state on June 24 that lists 62 affected positions and an Aug. 30 layoff date, according to Florida’s Rapid Response WARN list. The notice classifies the action as a plant closing, which triggers Rapid Response services for affected employees and the worksite.
Company blames labor squeeze and higher costs
Local reporting says Enkei attributed the shutdown to persistent labor challenges and rising input and operating costs that made the Jacksonville operation unsustainable, as first reported by the Jacksonville Business Journal. That outlet’s coverage frames the move as part of a wider squeeze on U.S. parts suppliers that are struggling to match global cost pressures.
What the plant did and where it sits
Federal inspection records identify the Jacksonville facility at 1401 Wheels Road and list its NAICS code under aluminum foundries, indicating the site handled metal casting and finishing work, per OSHA inspection records. Enkei’s corporate materials describe the company as a global OEM and aftermarket wheel supplier with North American manufacturing operations, placing the Jacksonville plant within a broader production network, per Enkei.
Local ripple effects and industry pressure
The loss hits amid a string of manufacturing setbacks in the area. A Jacksonville printing plant operator, Mittera, filed a state notice in May to close its local facility and eliminate roughly 100 jobs, signaling strain for some local operations, according to the Jax Daily Record. Industry trade coverage also shows other metalcasting and parts suppliers have announced closures or consolidations this year as companies confront higher costs and tight labor markets, as reported by Foundry Management & Technology.
Worker support and what comes next
Because the employer filed a WARN notice, local workforce and Rapid Response teams will have a formal window to offer reemployment services, training and job-search assistance to affected employees, per the state notice on the Florida’s Rapid Response WARN list. The filing gives agencies time to coordinate unemployment and retraining options as the plant winds down operations on Aug. 30, 2026.
The closure will be closely watched by customers and economic development officials who are looking to fill the 1401 Wheels Road facility or retool the site for other industrial uses. This article will be updated as Enkei, local officials or workforce agencies release additional details.
