WE Soda, the world’s largest producer of natural soda ash, has announced the reduction of 26 positions at its Wyoming trona operations, following the recent $1.43 billion acquisition of Genesis Alkali’s two mines in the state, Cowboy State Daily reports.
The job cuts, which primarily affect non-union managerial roles, represent less than 3% of the workforce at the company’s Green River operations.
The move comes as part of WE Soda’s broader strategy to reorganize and optimize its facilities for long-term stability and increased production capacity. Company officials emphasized that the changes are intended to strengthen operational efficiency and ensure the site remains competitive in a global market.
“Our top focus is increasing the capacity of the mine for overall stability far into the future. That entails internal, structural reorganization for efficiencies,” said JoAnna Dewald, Vice President of Environment, Health, Safety and Human Resources at WE Soda.
Union leaders acknowledged the difficulty of the layoffs but expressed support for the company’s direction.
“We would never celebrate anyone walking out that door. And a lot of them are friends,” said Marshal Cummings, president of United Steelworkers Local 13214, who noted that the reductions did not impact the approximately 650 union members he represents.
Cummings also said he remains optimistic about the company’s future, adding:
“We’re working together trying to set new records and goals. Happy bees make a lot of honey. The WE Soda team is proving that that is true.”
WE Soda finalized its acquisition of Genesis Alkali in February, creating a global soda ash powerhouse with an annual production capacity of approximately 9.5 million metric tons. With this acquisition, the London-based company solidified its position as the top producer of natural trona in the world.
Soda ash from the Wyoming mines plays a key role in manufacturing a variety of products, including glass, detergents, solar panels, lithium-ion batteries, and everyday household goods. Through its expansive logistics network, WE Soda distributes its products to more than 80 countries.
Despite challenging market conditions in 2024, WE Soda reported a 3% increase in sales volume, reaching 5.1 million metric tons, and generated $502 million in annual earnings. The company continued to show financial strength in the first quarter of 2025, earning $126 million on sales of 1.19 million metric tons, and reported improvements in profit margins and cash flow.
Looking ahead, WE Soda anticipates generating an additional $1 billion in free cash flow over the next five years and aims to expand production to over 11 million metric tons per year by 2030.
