Givaudan, a global flavors and fragrances company, is closing two New Jersey sites, potentially putting 85 employees out of work, it confirmed to ROI-NJ this week.
The company, based in Switzerland, had issued federal WARN notices saying it would be closing sites in Middlesex and Cranbury in December, with as many as 104 total employees at risk of layoffs.
However, a company spokesman gave ROI-NJ slightly different details on the closures.
“As part of our 2020 global operations strategy, we have reviewed our existing seasoning blending and meat processing manufacturing activities in the New Jersey area,” the spokesman said via email. “As a result of this analysis, we have decided to consolidate the manufacturing of these products into our Carol Stream, Illinois, and Devon, Kentucky, sites, both newer plants with more technologically advanced production methods and capacity.
“Over the next 12 to 18 months, the production from our Middlesex and Cranbury facilities will be absorbed into Carol Stream and Devon. Regrettably, this means that we will be closing Givaudan’s Middlesex and Cranbury sites during the course of 2020, resulting in 85 job losses.”
The facilities are located at 256 Lackland Drive E. in Middlesex and 6 Santa Fe Way in Cranbury. The WARN notices listed 100 possible layoffs in Middlesex and four in Cranbury.
“This was not an easy decision, and it was only made after a thorough and careful analysis,” the spokesman said. “We regret the impact that this difficult decision will have on our employees and their families, and we will strive to alleviate the impact of this transition. Givaudan will be supporting our employees at both sites with financial and outplacement measures.”
WARN notices normally cover mass layoffs or facility closings as part of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1989.
