Gillette Ends 100-Year Manufacturing Run in South Boston

Gillette, a leading razor manufacturer, is closing its century-old manufacturing plant in South Boston.

On Tuesday, the company, a subsidiary of Procter & Gamble, disclosed its plan to shift all manufacturing activities to its Andover campus. Approximately 750 employees will continue working in Boston at the company's global headquarters, where they will be engaged in corporate, research, development, and engineering roles.

"This is a crucial time for our company to make sure we have the right systems and resources to succeed in the next 100 years. I'm confident we've made the right decision, and I'm pleased that we'll continue to have a significant presence in both communities, including Boston, which has been our home for over a century and offers us so much in terms of innovation, talent, education, and culture. This will undoubtedly be an asset to us in the future.”

Gillette announced in 2019 that it would be reviewing its manufacturing operations to determine the best location for its future needs. Gillette has a workforce of approximately 1,200 people in South Boston and 200 in Andover.

The Andover manufacturing campus, which spans 150 acres, will house Gillette's blade and razor production, aerosol and chemical manufacturing lines, packaging operations, and direct-to-consumer fulfillment.

Procter & Gamble said that other P&G businesses may also be located at the Andover campus in the future. For example, P&G Beauty plans to double its current production of bar soap in Andover over the next two years and may bring other products to the campus in the coming years.

Gillette's South Boston campus on the Fort Point waterfront will be transformed in the "single most significant investment" the company has ever made in Massachusetts and Boston. The 31-acre campus will undergo a site planning process to explore opportunities for new businesses, housing, open space, and transit connections.

Gillette plans to host a community meeting in the near future to discuss the redevelopment of its South Boston campus.

"This business transformation was essential for Gillette's future, but we also realized that it had the potential to benefit the broader community. This is a unique opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.”

Gillette will begin transferring manufacturing jobs from South Boston to Andover in two to three years. All South Boston manufacturing employees will be offered jobs in Andover, and the company will help employees navigate the commute.