Glowforge Closes Seattle Factory, Lays Off Workers in Reshoring Reversal
In a surprising turn of events for the Seattle-based laser engraver manufacturer, Glowforge has announced the closure of its recently established production facility in the city’s SoDo neighborhood, resulting in significant layoffs. The decision comes just months after the company shifted some manufacturing operations back to the U.S. from overseas, a move initially hailed as a strategic response to escalating trade tensions and tariffs. According to details reported by GeekWire, the shutdown affects dozens of workers and underscores broader challenges in the hardware startup sector amid economic uncertainty.
The factory, which opened in early 2025 with fanfare and assistance from artificial intelligence tools for optimizing production lines, was intended to bolster domestic output and reduce dependency on foreign suppliers. Glowforge’s co-founder and CEO, Dan Shapiro, had previously emphasized the facility’s role in navigating tariff turmoil, as noted in an earlier GeekWire piece. However, internal sources indicate that rising operational costs, supply chain disruptions, and softer-than-expected demand for the company’s 3D laser engravers contributed to the abrupt reversal…