2 Florence companies announce plans to close, 242 jobs impacted

Two companies have filed papers with the state indicating plans to close their manufacturing plants in Florence this summer.

FurHaven Pet Products Inc. is a Washington-based company that produces a variety of pet products. The closure of PetHaven’s Florence plant will eliminate all 48 positions there. Layoffs are expected to begin on or around Aug. 7.

Hunter Defense Technologies, also known as HDT Global, plans to move its Florence operations to facilities in Huntsville, Ala., and Geneva, Ohio, as part of a company plan to increase efficiency. Ohio-based HDT specializes in rapidly deployable products to meet military and emergency needs.

The closure of HDT’s Florence facility will eliminate all 94 of the plant’s positions, with the first round of layoffs beginning July 31.