Yankee Candle consolidation prompts loss of 100 jobs

SOUTH DEERFIELD — Newell Brands, Yankee Candle’s parent company, announced Monday that Sept. 9 will be the last day of operations at its distribution facility at 27 Yankee Candle Way.

The news of an official date to end distribution operations there comes about six months after the initial announcement was made in January, when Newell Brands said it was consolidating its services. Approximately 100 employees will lose their jobs as a result of the distribution center change, according to a Newell Brands spokesperson.

However, the facility will remain open. In January, the spokesperson had explained an auxiliary warehouse at 14 Industrial Drive in South Deerfield would be closed, and its operations would be moved to 27 Yankee Candle Way.

“As part of our supply chain consolidation and optimization efforts, and in an effort to provide employees with significant notice, earlier this year, we announced that we are relocating distribution operations from our facility at 27 Yankee Candle Way to another one of our distribution centers,” the spokesperson wrote this week. “Importantly, there are no changes to our other Yankee Candle operations in western Massachusetts. Yankee was founded in the area, and we are committed to maintaining a strong local presence with our flagship Yankee Candle Village store and various research, manufacturing, distribution and office facilities.”

The spokesperson said any employees losing their jobs will be supported “with transition benefits.”

Deerfield Planning and Economic Development Coordinator Christopher Dunne said the site closure is a difficult situation for folks.

“We never like to see any local employer downsizing. … It’s never great to see that kind of situation with such an important local business, like Yankee Candle,” Dunne said.

He noted the town has been met with Yankee Candle representatives regarding the company’s real estate and the future of its buildings, including the corporate offices across Yankee Candle Way, which were closed in 2023.

“It’s on our radar,” Dunne said.

In a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing from April 26, Newell Brands stated its “organizational realignment” plan had been initiated, as the company seeks to consolidate its sales, technology, human resources, manufacturing quality and other teams to reduce costs. The plan also calls for addressing the company’s real estate portfolio.

“In addition to improving accountability, the Realignment Plan is designed to unlock operational efficiencies and cost savings, reduce complexity and free up funds for reinvestment,” the company’s filing states. “The company will also further optimize the company’s real estate footprint and pursue other cost reduction initiatives. These actions are expected to be substantially implemented by the end of 2024, subject to local law and consultation requirements. The company estimates that it will incur approximately $75 million to $90 million in restructuring and restructuring-related charges in connection with the Realignment Plan.”

Newell Brands owns Yankee Candle, Sharpie, Rubbermaid and numerous other household name brand products. In 2023, the company cut roughly 13% of its employees.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.