MASON COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Felman Production, LLC has notified state officials that it plans to cease production operations at its Letart facility, a move expected to affect approximately 98 employees.
The company submitted a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice to WorkForce West Virginia’s Dislocated Worker Services Unit on July 13.
According to the notice, the company has been impacted by difficult market conditions in the domestic silicomanganese industry.
“Over the past several years, the Company has been significantly impacted by adverse market conditions affecting the domestic silicomanganese industry. In addition to prolonged low pricing, the Company has continued to lose market share to imported material, further reducing demand for its domestic production,” the notice states.
The company said it explored options to keep the facility operating but determined it was no longer economically feasible.
“Throughout this period, the Company explored alternatives to continue operating the facility, including repeated attempts to market its production and to identify viable paths forward under prevailing market conditions. Unfortunately, despite these efforts, current pricing levels, ongoing import competition, and lack of demand make continued production economically infeasible,” the notice states.
Felman Production said it expects to cease production operations, including operation of its furnaces, at the Letart facility on or about Aug. 31, 2026, for at least six months.
“Accordingly, after careful consideration, the Company has made the difficult decision to cease production operations, including the operation of its furnaces, at its Letart, WV facility on or about August 31, 2026, for at least six (6) months. As a result of this decision, the Company expects to lay off a substantial number of employees no earlier than September 13, 2026. The layoff will result in an employment loss within the meaning of the WARN Act.”
The company said affected employees will remain on the payroll through the WARN Act notice period, with separations expected to begin on or about Sept. 13. Some employees may remain employed to perform safety, security, maintenance and management functions.
The notice states that approximately 98 employees are expected to be affected, including 80 union workers represented by the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (USW) and 18 salaried employees.
Felman Production said it has provided or will provide all required WARN Act notices to affected employees, union representatives and state workforce agencies, and that it will work with state and county officials to help affected workers access workforce and reemployment resources.
