Business & Tech

Limerick-Based Marlboro Tobacco Plant Is Closing Down Montco Operation

ICYMI: The John Middleton Limerick plant, which produces Marlboro and Virignia Slims, is relocating and taking hundreds of jobs with it.

LIMERICK, PA -- The John Middleton Limerick plant, which produces Marlboro, Virgnia Slims, and Parliament cigarettes will be relocating and taking hundreds of jobs with it.

Altria, which owns John Middleton, announced on Thursday that the Limerick plant would move to Richmond, Virgnia by the first quarter of 2018.

According to Altria, about 280 people are employed at the Limerick plant.

Find out what's happening in Limerick-Royersford-Spring Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

In a concurrent move, Altria will also close their facility in Franklin Park, Illinois and relocate operations to their Nashville, Tennessee facility.

Employees affected by the consolidation will be offered the opportunity to transfer into available positions, and those who do not do so will be offered separation benefits, Altria said.

Find out what's happening in Limerick-Royersford-Spring Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The company estimates that the consolidation will result in about $50 million of annual savings by the end of 2018.

The John Middleton plant is located on 475 N Lewis Road in Limerick.

Photo: Shutterstock.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.