Nearly 100 jobs lost as auto parts company closes center in Stanislaus County
A troubled auto parts company has informed Stanislaus County it will permanently close its distribution center in Patterson, resulting in almost 100 people losing jobs.
First Brands Group LLC, based in Cleveland, made the notification in February under the Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification Act and California Labor Code.
In an initial WARN letter, First Brands said the Patterson distribution center on Keystone Parkway would close April 4. The company more recently changed the schedule of layoffs to 91 employees, effective April 4, and a remaining seven employees to be laid off April 30.
The WARN notice advised employees to reach out to the Local Workforce Development Board, which is responsible for helping laid-off workers find new jobs.
News outlets in Cleveland are reporting the company’s collapse, as top executives for First Brands have been indicted on federal charges of fraud and money laundering. The alleged fraud scheme drove the global auto parts company into bankruptcy in September, according to the WKYC news station, citing information from prosecutors.
According to the federal indictment, First Brands executives used fake invoices and false financial statements to obtain billions of dollars from lenders. The company is expected to close several facilities in Ohio. First Brands referred to the Patterson facility as its Western Distribution Center.
The affected distribution center employees include 71 order fillers, eight receiving and shipping material handlers, a janitor, supervisors, managers and administrative employees.
In January, Patterson-based Advanced Linen Service announced the layoff of almost 90 workers after the company was sold to a multinational corporation.
Doris Foster, director of county Workforce Development, said the department offers any kind of services needed by workers who lose their jobs, such as workshops or events for businesses looking to hire employees.
She said the distribution center employees have skills needed by other distribution warehouses, so she hopes they can find positions in the same field.
Stanislaus County Workforce Development is at 251 E. Hackett Road, Modesto. Call 209-558-2100, or send an email to younga@stanworkforce.com.
Another option for affected workers is the Patterson Job Center, 101 W. Las Palmas Ave., Patterson, 209-525-4908.
This story was originally published March 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
