Niagara Cuts 85 Ocala Jobs in Phased Layoffs
Ocala bottling and logistics employers should expect reduced local hiring demand as separations roll out through March 2026.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Jobs — General
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Niagara Bottling is cutting 85 jobs tied to its Ocala, FL facility, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) letter filed with the state. The layoffs include remote employees administratively associated with the Ocala site, with separations scheduled in phases from December 31, 2025 through March 31, 2026.
Why it matters
Niagara says the cuts follow a decision to reduce production and volume, a signal for Ocala-area operators in bottling, logistics, and related supply chains to watch the regional labor market. The move comes as the company simultaneously closes a Plymouth, MI facility and expands production elsewhere.
The WARN notice covers 85 positions tied to the Ocala facility, while the company's separate Plymouth, MI closure affects 86 employees. Niagara's Elsmere, Kenton County, KY plant, a $141 million investment, created 60 full-time jobs.
The players
Niagara Bottling
A bottled water producer founded in 1963 and headquartered in Diamond Bar, CA, operating multiple production facilities across the United States.
Miguel Gomez
Director of human resources at Niagara Bottling who wrote the Ocala WARN notification.
The details
A WARN letter is the federal and state notice employers must file before large layoffs or closures, giving workers and local officials advance warning of separation dates. Niagara's notice, written by director of human resources Miguel Gomez, says separations will occur in phases rather than all at once. The cuts reach remote staff administratively linked to the Ocala site, meaning headcount reductions can extend beyond the physical plant footprint.
Timeline
September 2024: Niagara first announced the Elsmere, KY facility project.
September 2025: Niagara acquired Silver Springs Bottled Water Co. for about $25.7 million.
December 31, 2025: First phase of Ocala separations.
March 31, 2026: Final phase of Ocala separations.
September 2026: Niagara announced the Plymouth, MI facility closure.
Market Landscape
Niagara's Ocala cuts sit alongside the September 2025 Silver Springs acquisition and the Elsmere, KY build-out, a pattern of reshuffling capacity across its plant network. The Plymouth, MI closure, previously owned by Absopure, suggests the company is consolidating older sites rather than shrinking overall footprint.
Operators in Ocala's bottling, warehousing, and distribution trades should expect reduced local hiring demand and possible shifts in freight volume tied to Niagara's lower output. Companies with Niagara as a customer or supplier should review contract volumes before the phased separations conclude.
The takeaway
Niagara's phased schedule gives Ocala employers a defined window to plan around reduced regional payroll through March 2026. Operators with exposure to bottled-water logistics should track the company's next WARN filings for signs of further consolidation.
What happens next
Separations at the Ocala facility are scheduled for January 31, 2026, March 1, 2026, and March 31, 2026, following the initial December 31, 2025 phase.
Further reading
For broader context on local employment shifts, see our Jobs — General coverage in Ocala.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PlasticsToday.
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