Reckitt Benckiser laying off 140 in Springfield

Reckitt Benckiser Inc. plans to lay off 140 in Springfield as it moves the bulk of its local logistics center to St. Peters.

The company filed a notice with the Missouri Department of Economic Development indicating the layoffs will occur between April 29 and July 1.

Suzanne Grogan, communications manager for Reckitt Benckiser’s North America division, said the layoffs are being made as the company moves its Partnership Industrial Center warehouse and custom manufacturing operations in Springfield — which support the company’s household and retail food businesses — to a new plant in St. Peters, near St. Louis. According to the St. Louis Business Journal, the company is leasing a $31.5 million, 715,000-square-foot property in the city.

Company officials have held town hall meetings over the past year to inform employees of the impact of the logistics move, she said. Grogan said the logistics center in Springfield will continue to exist on a more limited basis to support the local French’s plant.

“The change is necessary in order for us to remain competitive in the value proposition we offer to our customers,” Grogan said via email. “The move will help accommodate for our rapid growth, provide us with better access to more well-travelled and competitive shipping lanes, and also provide some business efficiencies.”

Grogan said Reckitt Benckiser will not close its 300-employee French’s plant in the Queen City. The French’s plant also operates in PIC at 4455 E. Mustard Way, adjacent to the logistics center at 4343 E. Mustard Way.

“RB remains committed to keeping the French’s food business firmly planted in the Springfield community,” she said. “We continue to invest in our manufacturing plant to ensure the best quality products are manufactured in the most sustainable manner possible.”

Layoffs are not planned beyond Springfield, she said.

Reckitt Benckiser Inc. is a subsidiary of British firm Reckitt Benckiser Group (LON: RB).


[[In-content Ad]]