Reynolds American said it will add 200 more manufacturing jobs this year at its operations center in Tobaccoville near Winston-Salem, reflecting growth in its smokeless products business, the company said.
The move follows the addition of about 800 jobs over the past two years at Reynolds, which oversees U.S. operations for London-based BAT Group. It now employs more than 2,000 in the Winston-Salem region.
Reynolds says it is experiencing particular success with its Velo Plus nicotine pouches, which do not include tobacco. The company wants to have more than 50% of its revenue from smokeless products by 2035, CEO Tadeu Marroco has said. It is now less than 20%.
The company has invested about $200 million in its manufacturing plant and helped train long-time employees for new skills required for the transition from traditional cigarettes.
“For 150 years, Reynolds has been a cornerstone of economic strength in our community, creating well-paying jobs that sustain families across generations,” Brian Chambers, senior vice president of operations, said in a release. “Today, we continue that legacy by embracing transformation and welcoming new team members to help grow our future.”
The company is working with Forsyth Technical Community College on the Future-Ready Workforce Alliance, which offers specialized training programs
Reynolds says it also plans to announce an expansion at its Clarksville, Tennessee operation at an undisclosed date.
Reynolds American was created by the 2004 merger of Reynolds and the U.S. operations of BAT, which gained a 42% stake in the company. In 2017, BAT bought the balance of the Winston-Salem enterprise for $49 billion.
David Mildenberg is editor of Business North Carolina. Reach him at dmildenberg@businessnc.com.