Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based Reynolds American, a manufacturer, and distributor of cigarettes and other tobacco-related products including nicotine vaping dispensers and nicotine replacement therapy products, has announced the consolidation of its U.S. manufacturing operations.
The consolidation will result in the closure of three facilities, relocation of operations, and impact approximately 700 positions by 2025. The company suggests that approximately half of those affected will move to the company's other locations with a net impact of 350 layoffs.
More specifically, the consolidation includes:
• Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co.’s operations in Oxford, N.C., will move to Tobaccoville.
• American Snuff Co. operations at Taylor Brothers in Winston-Salem will move to Tobaccoville.
• American Snuff Co.’s Traditional Oral operations in Memphis, Tennessee, will move to Clarksville, Tennessee.
Reynolds Executive Vice President of Operations Bernd Meyer noted, “After our review, it became clear that we had to align our manufacturing footprint with our growth strategies."
According to Reynolds President and CEO Guy Meldrum, These decisions are never easy. We are focused on delivering long-term, sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving environment. While these changes are necessary to support the future of our business, they will be extremely difficult for our employees at the manufacturing sites that are closing and today we are focused on providing support to them through this transition.”
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. 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?