Cox Automotive in Kent plans to furlough 123 employees, according to the Washington Employment Security Department.
The state issued a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) announcement on Thursday. The furloughs are expected to begin on May 17. A furlough means a company plans to eventually bring the employees back.
Cox Automotive operates a wholesale vehicle auction business in Kent under the Manheim Seattle name. Manheim is a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises.
A Manheim spokesperson said on Friday that the company will continue to pay benefits for employees who are eligible during the furlough.
Manheim is the world’s largest, most comprehensive wholesale vehicle marketplace, according to its website. With more than 100 operating locations worldwide, it brings qualified buyers and motivated sellers together at live, competitive auctions.
Manheim locations also provide an array of products and services like reconditioning, inspections, dealer financing, transportation, title management and marshalling.
The company has furloughed employees across the nation because of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on business.
Staff from the Employment Security Department local rapid response team and WorkSource center will perform outreach to employees of Cox to ease the transition.
Editor’s note: This story was updated that employees are being furloughed.
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