DURHAM – Ideal Industries, which purchased Cree’s industrial lighting business in 2019, is closing a former Cree facility in Durham and laying off workers there.
According to a layoff notice filed with the state of North Carolina, Ideal said the closure is “permanent.”
A total of 44 workers will be affected.
The facility at 4401 Silicon Drive in Durham will be closed as of March 26, according to the notice which was filed with the state on Tuesday.
“The Company will begin closing down the facility on March 26, 2021 through the sell and completed close of the facility, and the anticipated schedule for making separations of Company employees is anticipated to occur on March 26, 2021 for most employees, and throughout 2021 for remaining employees,” the company said in the notice.
“As a result of this closing, 44 employees will be separated from employment. Based on specific skill sets and the needs within our Wisconsin facility, 33 employees will have an opportunity to relocate to Wisconsin. If they do not wish to relocate, their employment will also be terminated.”
Ideal is based in Illinois.
“We’re very excited to welcome Cree Lighting to the Ideal family,” said Jim James, Chairman and CEO of Ideal, when the deal was announced in March 2019. “We’re acquiring a very special organization poised for sustained success, and we look forward to assisting Cree Lighting in realizing its full potential.”
