P&G plant closure will end 480 jobs

An estimated 480 jobs will be lost within three years after Procter and Gamble announced Thursday it will close its Brockville operations as early as 2020.

Employees of the Brockville site were informed of the company ’s decision at a meeting early Wednesday.

The decision comes as a result of what P&G described as a “North American Supply Network Design” that will relocate remaining production of Bounce and Swiffer products manufactured in Brockville to a new site in West Virginia.

The transitions are planned to be complete by early 2020 and will result in the permanent closure of the Brockville site by late 2020 or early 2021, the company said. The city plant employs 480 people.

“While this was a difficult decision for the company, the overall redesign efforts will help P&G transform the way it goes to market and revolutionize the way it sources, manufactures and produces across North America,” the company’s statement read.

Jeff LeRoy, a P&G company communications spokesperson, said the decision to close production in Brockville was “difficult” and is not a reflection of the city or the employees of the site. He said the company will try to accommodate local employees who are willing to relocate.

“Again, it’s important to recognize this announcement is three to four years in advance,” said LeRoy. “We are working hard so that we can find another position for as many employees as possible within P&G if they are willing to relocate.

“There are no guarantees and we can make no promises, but this is the goal we have,” he said. The company is “exploring many options,” including employee transfers to a P&G facility in Belleville which is anticipated to have opportunities available in coming years.