Novelis, a global company that makes low-carbon, flat-rolled aluminum products, is feeling the effects of the tariffs imposed by U. S. President Donald Trump, leading to layoffs at its Kingston location on Friday.
“The decision affects roughly one-third of the facility’s workforce. These are difficult decisions that affect our colleagues and their families, and we are supporting those impacted through this transition,” read an email from Fiona Bell, the head of communications for North America.
Staff were notified Friday of the cuts.
“It was a shock in a sense for us, but I think for the overall industry, I think this is what you’re going to be seeing over a period of months, if not years, until we get ahead of it,” said Kevon Stewart, United Steel Workers’ District 6 director. “We’re working closely with employers, with government, to try to come up with the best game plan to protect workers going forward.”
The company supplies aluminum to U. S. car manufacturers and has been facing Trump’s 50-percent tariffs on aluminum since June 2025.
“This is a reduction of 10 salaried employees and temporary layoffs of approximately 70 hourly employees. Continuing to operate the plant at reduced volumes provides Novelis with the option to increase production if the situation meaningfully changes,” Bell continued.
This marks the second round of layoffs for the manufacturer. On June 11, 2025, the company laid off 21 employees.
It’s also the second significant round of layoffs in Kingston’s manufacturing sector following several job cuts at Invista earlier this summer.
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