Campbell Soup Co. plans to consolidate its offices in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Norwalk, Connecticut, into its headquarters in Camden, New Jersey. In addition, the company will invest approximately $50 million to enhance its Camden facilities over the next three years.
“We are thrilled to invest in our people, our facilities and our Camden community, which Campbell has called home for more than 150 years,” said Mark Clouse, president and CEO, Campbell.
“We remain committed to our two-division operating model and are confident that being together in one headquarters is the best way for us to continue building a culture that unlocks our full growth potential. This investment will ensure Campbell remains a great place to work and a compelling destination for top talent.”
The project includes upgrading current spaces and constructing new buildings, including a new campus center, a snacks research and development center and pilot plant. The company plans to enhance workspaces, meeting and multi-purpose rooms and communal spaces to support a wide variety of work styles. These adaptable workspaces will be complemented with new and existing best-in-class amenities, such as on-site day care, a café, complimentary health and fitness center and a variety of other services. Construction is expected to start in March 2023.
Campbell last completed a major expansion and renovation of its campus in 2010. At that time, Campbell also purchased vacant buildings and parcels surrounding its headquarters, which spurred the redevelopment of Camden’s Gateway District and the location of other major businesses to the city.
Campbell has been evaluating plans to unify its snacks headquarters following the acquisition of Snyder’s-Lance in 2018. The division operates across multiple office locations, split between Camden, Charlotte and Norwalk.
The company determined that investing in Camden and unifying most of the company’s office-based employees in one location would provide the benefits for the business and will provide the snacks division with improved facilities, resources and services than those that exist in Charlotte or Norwalk.
Employees in Charlotte and Norwalk will relocate to Camden in phases starting in mid-2023. For employees who choose not to relocate, Campbell will provide job placement support and severance benefits commensurate with level and years of service.
The closings will not impact Campbell’s other operations in Connecticut and North Carolina.
- In Connecticut, Campbell will continue to operate its Pepperidge Farm bakery in Bloomfield. Opened in 2002, the bakery employs about 400 people, is actively hiring and has plans to expand in 2023.
- In North Carolina, Charlotte will remain a key manufacturing and distribution center, with about 1,400 employees in the Pineville area. Combined with the company’s Maxton manufacturing site, Campbell employs 2,500 people in the state.
“We have a long history in Connecticut and North Carolina and will continue to have key operations in both states,” 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.”
