Guilford, Maine-based Puritan Medical Products, a manufacturer of swab, diagnostic, and specimen collection products, has announced the closure of its close its plant in Orlinda, Tennessee, and will be consolidating its manufacturing operations in Pittsfield, Maine facility.
The closure will impact 272 employees positions, including 215 employees located in Pittsfield.
The decision was driven by decreasing revenues from COVID-19 testing swabs.
According to a company spokesperson, “These actions are the latest — and hopefully last — measures taken in response to the post-COVID downturn.” With lower demand for swabs and other products — compared to COVID-driven peaks — Puritan has implemented these measures aimed at strengthening its operational and financial base to ensure that it is best positioned to succeed given the new market realities.”
Bob Shultz, Puritan’s president and chief financial officer noted, "Layoffs aren’t just minor changes in people’s lives; they are major disruptions to the livelihoods of employees and the families as well as the communities where we live and work. However, the swiftness and significance of the post-COVID market correction have sustained and, while Puritan does not take these measures lightly, we feel that they are necessary.”
Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?