On November 4, 2025, workers at the Prysmian plant in Schuylkill Haven received a crushing blow: a WARN notice announcing the plant’s closure. The news came as a shock just days before the holidays, with 150 employees set to lose their jobs in a phased layoff starting January 1, 2026.
For these workers, many of whom had been at the plant for decades, this marked the end of an era. What’s behind the sudden shutdown of one of the region’s longest-standing employers?
The Layoff Timeline
The first wave of layoffs begins January 1, 2026, with a full closure set for December 31, 2027. The WARN notice, filed in early November 2025, outlines a loss of 150 jobs.
Local wages, estimated at $7.5 million to $15 million annually, will vanish, triggering a ripple effect throughout the community. How will this affect Schuylkill County in the long term?
Global Cable Giant Faces Challenges
Prysmian Cables and Systems, a global leader in cable production, operates in over 50 countries. Yet, the company is shutting down a U.S. plant as the global cable industry experiences growth.
While global demand for specialized cables continues to expand, U.S. plants continue to close, raising questions about the future of American manufacturing. What’s driving this drastic move in a growing industry?
Schuylkill County’s Industrial Legacy
The Schuylkill Haven facility traces its roots to the early 1960s, when Bill Combs founded Tamaqua Cable Products at 1 Tamaqua Boulevard.
For decades, the plant operated under the Combs family’s ownership before being acquired by Draka Cableteq in 1997, and later becoming part of Prysmian Group following the company’s acquisition of Draka in 2011.
The approximately 60-year-old facility has been a cornerstone employer in Schuylkill County through multiple generations and ownership transitions—from Pennsylvania’s coal-based economy to advanced cable manufacturing.
Pressure Mounts on U.S. Manufacturers
As Pennsylvania continues to lose its industrial backbone, this closure marks another painful chapter. The region’s recent WARN notices only emphasize the ongoing struggle to adapt in a world where manufacturing is increasingly outsourced.
To meet sustainability goals, wire and cable companies face increasing costs to upgrade facilities, from energy-efficient processes to eco-friendly materials. U.S. plants, including older facilities like Schuylkill Haven, face challenges keeping up with these demands.
Prysmian’s Official Announcement
With tariffs threatening exports and industry-wide focus on green technology and advanced production capabilities, legacy U.S. sites face competitive pressures.
Prysmian made it official in November 2025: the Schuylkill Haven plant will close by 2027. The layoffs will begin in early 2026, with 150 workers set to lose their jobs.
Schuylkill’s Economic Fallout
This marks the end of a manufacturing era, leaving workers and the community wondering what the future holds for a facility that once provided steady work for so many.
With the plant’s closure, Schuylkill County loses millions in wages and local spending power. The area’s already strained economy is set to bear the brunt of this loss.
Workers Face Uncertainty
Retail, housing, and schools rely on the tax base that these jobs supported. Local officials have expressed concerns that this could lead to economic challenges for the county.
Longtime employees are left in limbo. As phased layoffs start in January 2026, displaced workers in rural Schuylkill face challenges finding comparable employment locally. Can they adapt before the plant completely shuts down?
Competitors Ramp Up Production
While Prysmian pulls back, competitors are ramping up operations. A new $365 million cable plant near Houston will begin construction in 2026, with production expected to start in 2029, capitalizing on reshoring efforts.
Meanwhile, firms like Molex invest in cutting-edge technologies for AI data centers. The race for high-tech production continues as older facilities like Schuylkill’s struggle to keep up.
The Global Cable Boom
The global cable industry is experiencing growth, with demand driven by sectors like 5G, data centers, and renewable energy infrastructure.
However, Schuylkill’s plant closure highlights a wider issue: while the market grows, legacy plants continue to close in favor of newer, more technologically advanced facilities. What does this mean for the future of U.S. manufacturing?
Schuylkill County Faces WARN Wave
Schuylkill County is no stranger to mass layoffs, with multiple WARN notices in recent months. In 2025, 505 workers were laid off at a Big Lots distribution center in Tremont, and 314 workers were affected by a facility ownership transfer in Pottsville.
The loss of 150 more jobs at Prysmian adds to the mounting pressure. As manufacturing continues its decline in Pennsylvania, can the region recover from this latest blow?
Local Officials Sound the Alarm
Local leaders have expressed concern over the closure’s long-term impact on the community. Workers face limited local alternatives.
The regional economy also continues to grapple with the loss of manufacturing jobs. How will policymakers respond to this growing crisis?
Prysmian Group’s Strategic Shift
Prysmian’s global footprint spans over 50 countries, yet the company is consolidating U.S. operations. With an eye on efficiency and high-margin markets like 5G and renewables, Prysmian is scaling back its U.S. presence.
The closure signals a shift in priorities, as the company invests in modern facilities and embraces greener technologies.
Can Schuylkill Bounce Back?
Despite state programs for retraining, Schuylkill Haven faces an uphill battle. Jobs in cable manufacturing are scarce in the area, and with fewer manufacturing facilities, workers may struggle to find new opportunities.
Schuylkill’s future hinges on whether new industries can fill the void left by Prysmian’s exit.
A Bleak Horizon for Schuylkill
As Schuylkill County grapples with the closure of Prysmian’s plant, the community faces an uncertain future. The cable industry continues to grow globally, but the rust belt remains a casualty of this global shift.
Can state and local policymakers stem the tide of deindustrialization, or will the region continue to lose its manufacturing legacy
Sources:
“Prysmian Cables and Systems to Close Schuylkill Haven Facility, Affecting 150 Employees.” FOX56 WOLF, 6 Nov 2025.
“Prysmian Cables & Systems to Close Schuylkill County Facility.” Skook News, 3 Nov 2025.
“Over 500 Employees to Lose Jobs with Closure of Schuylkill County Big Lots Distribution Center.” Skook News, 25 Dec 2024.
“Manufacturer Asks for Tax Break for Proposed $365 Million Texas Facility.” Houston Chronicle, 29 Aug 2025.