FreightCar America announces Mexico construction ahead of Roanoke layoffs

FreightCar America announced Thursday it will build and operate a manufacturing plant in Castaños, Mexico. The announcement comes a day before planned layoffs begin at the company's Roanoke facility.

According to a letter sent to employees Thursday, the company states, "While we complete construction of this new facility, we remain deeply committed to Shoals as our primary manufacturing platform and will continue with our plans to invest in automation and paint shop improvements, and consolidate our Roanoke operation at Shoals."

The Shoals manufacturing operation is in Alabama.

In July, FreightCar America Corporation announced it will officially close its Roanoke manufacturing location in November.

The layoffs are expected to begin this week and will continue through November 11, when all employees at the Roanoke operation will be terminated.