(Amana, IA) – Officials with the Whirlpool Corporation have announced that around 400 employees will be let go from the company’s facility in Amana, effective March 9th. Additional job reductions may happen in the spring, according to the company, which told KCRG-TV that the change comes as park of a “broader multi-year transformation” that includes phasing out older refrigerator models, and expanding operations to upgraded products. The facility will continue to make refrigerators.

Last summer, Whirlpool’s Amana facility laid-off 250 workers. Company officials say the current layoff is unrelated to the 400 workers who were retained last year. Any union employees who are recalled will be in order of tenure and seniority, but the chances of that happening, are low, according to Whirlpool.

Whirlpool said affected employees will be supported with onside HR support, an employee assistance program, and guidance through Iowa Workforce Development’s unemployment benefits.