Hundreds of Layoffs Expected as CyraCom Shuts Down Houston Facility
Hundreds of employees in the Houston area are facing layoffs as CyraCom International Inc., a language interpretation provider, closes its Houston facility. The company plans to lay off 355 employees as part of a broader restructuring following its acquisition by Propio.
CyraCom's Restructuring and Acquisition
The layoffs at the CyraCom Houston facility are a direct result of Propio's acquisition of CyraCom earlier this year. This merger consolidates two of the largest language service providers in the country. The move aims to create a "seamless transition" for clients, according to company officials, but unfortunately includes significant workforce reductions.
The eliminated positions include interpreters proficient in a wide range of languages, including Spanish, Vietnamese, Portuguese, and Arabic, among others. The layoffs are scheduled to begin on December 1st and continue over the subsequent two weeks.
Impact on Employees and Houston Community
The closure of CyraCom's Houston facility will undoubtedly impact the local community and the affected employees. In addition to the Houston layoffs, approximately 500 positions will be eliminated at CyraCom's Arizona office, compounding the impact of this restructuring.
Chron reached out to both Propio and CyraCom for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
Additional Layoffs in the Houston Area
Adding to the economic strain, Essendant Management Services, a distribution company, also announced plans to lay off 92 employees at its Houston facility. According to their WARN letter, these layoffs are due to "changes in and downsizing of the Company's business." The Essendant layoffs are slated to occur on or within the two weeks following November 7th.
Chron also contacted Essendant, but has not yet received a reply.
CyraCom's Houston Expansion and Subsequent Closure
CyraCom initially expanded into Houston in 2014, opening a 62,000-square-foot center. The company provides over-the-phone language interpretation in more than 150 languages. Their "ClearLink" dual-handset telephone system facilitates face-to-face communication between caregivers and non-English speaking patients and their families.
"This is a transformative moment in our industry and Propio is taking the lead in it. We are combining two trusted leaders with decades of remote-interpretation excellence. Together, we’ll set an even greater standard for access, speed, and quality in language solutions." - Marco Assis, CEO of Propio.
