Oliver Companies lay off 150; local industries, schools, businesses wait it out

Approximately 150 employees of two of the Oliver Companies–Oliver Fiberglass, Oliver Travel Trailers–experienced lay offs as the companies' orders slowed and Governor Bill Lee issued a "Safer at Home" initiative.

On Monday, March 30, 2020, Gov. Lee announced a two week statewide closure of non-essential businesses, asking Tennesseans to stay home in an effort of prevent the further spread of the Coronavirus.

A week prior, Oliver Fiberglass sent home 75 percent of its workforce due to a lack of orders for Safe Step tubs, a walk-in tub marketed to older Americans.

With no orders, there was no wo...