Baxter Healthcare has cut 90 jobs at its manufacturing facility in McDowell County.
The medical equipment company confirmed the layoffs affected roughly three percent of it’s employees at its North Cove site, in addition to eliminating open and contract positions.
Company leaders say the North Cove facility produces about 60 percent of the nation’s IV fluid supply. Operations were significantly disrupted in 2024 after Hurricane Helene destroyed a bridge connecting the plant’s shipping route to Highway 221. The damage forced Baxter to limit orders of IV bags and peritoneal dialysis fluids, leading to inventory shortages across U.S. healthcare systems.
A company spokesperson said the workforce reduction was made to align the site’s production with current market conditions.
According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Baxter is McDowell county’s largest employer.