Layoffs of 127: Packaging Giant Pactiv Shuts Down California Thermoforming Plant

According to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) submitted to California, Pactiv LLC will close its thermoforming plant located in Bakersfield, California, resulting in 127 people losing their jobs. The notice submitted late last week indicates that the closure is planned for October 14, 2025.

According to the WARN Act, employers must provide a 60-day advance notice before implementing mass layoffs, plant closures, or relocations. The notice must be given to the affected employees as well as representatives of state and local governments.

Pactiv is a leading manufacturer of fresh food and beverage packaging in North America. According to its official website, the company employs over 14,000 people across more than 50 manufacturing plants and 42 distribution centers.

Industry Integration

The closure of this factory occurred after significant corporate changes in the packaging industry. At the end of 2024, Novolex, a major foodservice packaging manufacturer under Apollo Global Management, acquired Pactiv Evergreen for $6.7 billion. Pactiv LLC is a subsidiary of Pactiv Evergreen.

The company's press release states that the transaction completed in April this year has created one of the world's largest food packaging manufacturers, with manufacturing and distribution operations across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. The merged company owns 250 brands and 39,000 stock keeping units (SKUs).

There are new developments at the corporate restructuring level: recent reports indicate that Apollo Global Management is considering making a further acquisition offer for Pactiv Evergreen. Bloomberg, citing anonymous sources, reported that Novolex is in discussions with financial advisors about a possible acquisition bid.

Pactiv Evergreen was established in 2020 through the merger of Evergreen Packaging and Pactiv, both of which had previously been acquired by Reynolds Group Holdings. The company became publicly listed in 2020.

In 2022, Apollo Funds acquired a majority stake in Novolex from Carlyle, while Carlyle retained a minority stake.