Campbell Soup Co. announced Wednesday morning that it will close its Norwalk office in a major consolidation, which will move most of the company’s office-based employees to one location in New Jersey.
Campbell said it will maintain its Pepperidge Farm bakery in Bloomfield, and it plans to add jobs there this year. The bakery, which opened in 2002, makes bread, buns, rolls and stuffing. It employs more than 400 people.
Employees will relocate to Camden in phases starting in mid-2023. Employees who choose not to relocate will receive job placement support and severance benefits, the company said.
“We have a long history in Connecticut and North Carolina and will continue to have key operations in both states,” Campbell’s President and CEO Mark Clouse said. “The decision to close these offices was difficult but it is the right thing to do for our business and culture. Unifying the company in one headquarters increases connectivity, collaboration and provides enhanced career opportunities for our team.”
Campbell plans to spend about $50 million upgrading its Camden facilities, which will house more than 1,600 employees, the company said.
The project involves upgrading existing space, improving workspaces and constructing new buildings with amenities, including on-site daycare, a cafe, health and fitness center, and other services. Construction is expected to start in March.
The publicly traded company said it expects to see cost savings from the consolidation in FY 2023, reaching $10 million in annual cost savings by FY 2026.
The company said that “no commercial roles” will be eliminated as a result of the consolidation.
Campbell has been headquartered in Camden for more than 150 years.
