400+ Workers To Be Laid Off At 2 Morris County Healthcare Companies

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Two global healthcare companies with offices in Morris County have planned to lay off a combined total of more than 400 positions in the area, according to documents filed with the state.

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc., a German business that provides healthcare solutions and services, is preparing another round of layoffs in Morris County as it works to restructure its diagnostics sector.

In a filing with the New Jersey Division of Workforce and Development, the corporation increased the number of employees who will be laid off at its Flanders location at 62 Flanders-Bartley Road to 300 over the next few months.

"Following an extensive review of the company’s diagnostics instrument manufacturing network for its laboratory solutions portfolio, we’re announcing that Siemens Healthineers will consolidate a portion of its instrument manufacturing operations in Flanders to the Swords location in Dublin, Ireland, by September 2024," a Siemens Healthineers spokesperson said.

The company first announced the reduction of 120 positions back in June, and then another 180 positions more recently.

According to Siemens, there are approximately 750 individuals employed in Flanders, and the current layoffs would only affect manufacturing. The business also expects the move to have no effect on the 1,000 employees at its other two New Jersey operations in Iselin and Princeton.

"Upon separation, affected Flanders employees of Siemens Healthineers will be eligible for severance and outplacement benefits under the terms of the company’s policy and will have the opportunity to apply for other positions within the Siemens Healthineers organization and the broader group of Siemens companies," a spokesperson said.

The layoffs come about a year after Siemens announced plans to reduce the complexity of its portfolio, streamline supply chain and company footprints, and create a leaner organization, citing "a variety of external headwinds, including effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, global inflationary concerns, supply issues and labor shortages."

Swiss drugmaker Novartis is laying off 103 employees at its U.S. headquarters located at 1 Health Plaza, East Hanover, according to a notice to the state labor department.

Those layoffs will take effect on Nov. 24, officials said.

According to News 12 New Jersey, the layoffs are taking place as the pharmaceutical company reorganizes its global clinical operations in order to establish a simpler, more streamlined organization.

Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notices normally cover mass layoffs or facility closings as part of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1989.