BlueOval SK has announced its plans to lay off over 100 employees at its battery facility in Stanton, Tennessee. According to the WARN notice filing, the job cuts are scheduled to take effect on May 6, 2026.
The company was originally formed as a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and SK On. The layoffs follow the end of the partnership between the two companies, as reported by several news outlets.
BlueOval SK Announces 150 Layoffs, Issues WARN Notice
BlueOval SK submitted a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice confirming 150 job cuts at its Stanton manufacturing plant. The notice was filed with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development on March 23, 2026.
The filing provides advance notice to state officials and employees regarding the upcoming job cuts. The layoffs are scheduled to begin on May 6, 2026, at the facility located at 2022 Battery Park Drive.
The WARN Act is a federal law, enacted in 1988. Under the act, employers with over 100 employees are required to provide 60 days’ advance notice before mass layoffs or plant closures.
The BlueOval SK filing indicates that no union represents the affected employees. The company has not shared an official reason for the layoffs.
Ford and SK On Partnership Background and Dissolution
BlueOval SK was initially formed as a joint venture between SK On, a major South Korean company specializing in EV battery manufacturing, and Ford Motor Company, a leading automaker.
The partnership began in 2021 and was aimed at supporting the rising demand for electric vehicle batteries in the United States and the global market.
However, according to a recent report, Ford filed restructuring plans with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The December 9, 2025, filing noted that the global automaker expected a loss of about $3 billion in its fourth-quarter 2025 results.
According to a Commercial Appeal report, the joint venture structure is evolving with strategic changes underway. SK On is planning to take a more direct role.
The job cuts are part of a transition at the Tennessee plant. The layoffs at BlueOval SK are expected to impact both employees and the local community.
