Edgewell Personal Care, a producer of various personal care items, has confirmed the pending shutdown of its Knoxville manufacturing facility, a move that’s poised to affect 132 employees. Citing a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Notice filed with the State of Tennessee, WVLT reported that the closure is set to commence on June 1, 2026, with completion by December 31, 2027. The factory at 2820 Media Drive is involved in producing well-known brand products, including Schick and Banana Boat.
Following the WARN Notice, Edgewell issued a statement assuring that the phased closure was part of a “broader strategic business decision.” According to a 10News report, the company emphasized its commitment to employees’ support throughout the transition, providing free counseling services, resume assistance, interview preparation, and tuition reimbursement for upskilling. Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs has described the news as “tough,” reflecting on the economic impact such closures have on local communities.
The announcement came shortly after Edgewell reported a 1.3% decrease in net sales for the fiscal year 2025, and on the heels of divesting its feminine care business to Swedish company Essity for $340 million. WATE noted that while the company’s yearly growth was down, an uptick was observed in the fourth quarter…