FITCHBURG (WKOW) -- Sub-Zero and Wolf Appliance in Fitchburg announced today that they are laying off more than 1,000 employees.

Sub-Zero announced they will lay off 469 and Wolf would lay off 574, according to a mass layoff notice from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

The layoffs will begin Sunday after third shift ends, according to a letter to WDWD.

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The plant closures and layoffs are expected to last until at least Monday, April 13, 2020.

The company cited its duty to protect the health of the workforce amid the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the spread of the virus and responding to the reality that the demand for production has gone down as reasons for the layoffs.

They anticipate that most employees will be recalled to work on or after April 13, but not all.

RELATED: Some Sub-Zero employees blindsided with indefinite layoffs, others to come back mid-April

Read the full letter below.

DWD and its regional partner, South Central Workforce Development Board, will offer rapid response services to the company and the affected workers.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Dislocated Worker Program provides transition assistance to workers and companies affected by permanent worker layoffs.

The Program's local Rapid Response Teams help companies and worker representatives develop and implement a practical transition plan based on the size of the layoff event. Types of services include:

• pre-layoff workshops on a variety of topics such as resume writing and interviewing, job search strategies, and budgeting

• provision of information about programs and resources through written materials and information sessions

• career and resource fairs.