111 Walmart Fulfillment Center Workers Face Transfer or Separation as Matteson Facility Closes
Walmart has notified 111 employees at its Matteson, Illinois, fulfillment center that they must transfer to other locations or end their employment following the facility’s closure on May 29.
The company filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice on March 27, disclosing the impending shutdown. This legal requirement alerts workers and local officials about mass layoffs or plant closures affecting 50 or more employees.
The Matteson facility, situated outside Chicago near the ORD airport region, serves as a key distribution point in Walmart’s supply chain. Professional truck drivers who regularly service this location will need to adjust routes as inbound and outbound freight operations cease.
According to the filing, the 111 affected workers have the option to relocate to nearby Walmart facilities. Those who choose not to transfer will face separation from the company effective May 29. Walmart has indicated it is offering support details through the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporting on the matter.
This closure forms part of Walmart’s ongoing restructuring efforts centered on automation. The retailer has invested heavily in robotic systems, automated storage and retrieval technologies, and AI-driven sorting to enhance efficiency across its distribution network.
For truck drivers, these changes carry direct implications. Automated fulfillment centers process freight faster and with fewer manual handling errors, potentially streamlining dock operations and reducing wait times at loading bays. Drivers hauling for Walmart suppliers or third-party logistics providers may encounter updated scheduling protocols at remaining facilities.
The Matteson site’s automation-driven closure aligns with industry trends where large retailers consolidate operations into high-tech hubs. Walmart operates dozens of fulfillment centers nationwide, many upgraded with systems capable of handling peak e-commerce volumes without proportional workforce increases.
Drivers familiar with the Chicago-area logistics corridor note that Matteson handles a mix of grocery, general merchandise, and e-commerce shipments. Closure could shift this volume to facilities in nearby Joliet or Lockport, increasing traffic on Interstates 80 and 57 for over-the-road hauls.
Walmart’s supply chain spans more than 210 distribution centers and fulfillment centers across the United States. Recent upgrades include next-generation automation at sites like those in Texas and Pennsylvania, where robotic arms and conveyor systems manage palletizing and depalletizing tasks traditionally done by hand.
These technologies allow for 24/7 operations with minimal staffing, directly impacting the number of receivers and shippers drivers interact with daily. In Matteson’s case, the 111 positions likely included roles in inbound receiving, order fulfillment, and outbound loading—key touchpoints for CDL holders.
The WARN notice specifies layoffs effective May 29, though some reports reference 2026 dates, which appear inconsistent with the primary filing details. Walmart confirmed the closure timeline in its March 27 submission to state authorities.
Professional drivers servicing Walmart have seen similar shifts before. For instance, closures or consolidations in other regions have rerouted loads, sometimes extending haul distances but improving payload consistency through centralized automation hubs.
As Walmart advances its automation strategy, truckers can anticipate more precise electronic logging of deliveries via advanced warehouse management systems. This reduces paperwork at the dock while requiring drivers to adapt to faster-paced unload cycles.
The Matteson announcement underscores the pressure on warehouse labor amid rising automation adoption. Retail giants like Walmart, Amazon, and Target continue deploying autonomous vehicles, drones, and machine learning for inventory control, reshaping the backend of freight movement.
For the 111 workers, the choice between transfer and exit highlights the human element in these transitions. Transfers preserve employment within Walmart’s network, potentially placing staff at automated facilities where they support rather than perform manual tasks.
Truck drivers monitoring carrier partnerships with Walmart should watch for load board adjustments in the coming weeks. Freight from central Illinois may consolidate at surviving centers, affecting backhauls and regional runs.
Walmart’s restructuring reflects broader e-commerce demands post-pandemic, where same-day delivery expectations drive warehouse efficiency. Automation minimizes downtime, ensuring consistent freight availability for outbound trucking lanes.
Industry observers track these developments closely, as they influence fuel surcharges, detention pay policies, and overall carrier contracts. Drivers with dedicated Walmart runs may need to requalify at new sites or update broker relationships.
The closure notice originated from public filings, with coverage by outlets including CDLLife and the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. As of the March 27 filing, Walmart provided no further details on specific automation replacements at Matteson.
Professional truckers navigating the evolving retail supply chain will continue facing facilities that prioritize speed and reliability. Staying informed on closures like Matteson helps in planning efficient routes and minimizing empty miles.