Edgewell Personal Care Company just dropped some big news for Connecticut. The company, famous for its Schick razors, plans to close its Milford plant and lay off nearly 300 workers over the next two years.
State and local officials are already scrambling to help, since this isn’t just about one company—it’s part of a bigger shift in Connecticut manufacturing.
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Major Layoffs Set to Hit Milford
Edgewell Personal Care confirmed it’ll cut 293 jobs at its 10 Leighton Road facility in Milford. The layoffs will start between March 2 and March 16, 2026, and the plant will shut down for good by December 31, 2027, according to the WARN notice filed with the Connecticut Department of Labor.
These workers aren’t unionized, so they won’t get the usual bumping rights. Still, Edgewell says it will offer severance and help employees find new jobs, which is something, at least.
Economic Impact Across the Region
Milford might be ground zero for this closure, but the shockwaves will hit cities like Bridgeport, Stratford, West Haven, and New Haven too. Plenty of employees commute from places like Shelton, Derby, Fairfield, and Trumbull, so the impact spreads far beyond one town.
The Milford plant has been a dependable source of manufacturing jobs for decades. Seeing it close really drives home how much Connecticut’s industrial scene keeps changing.
Business Strategy Behind the Decision
Edgewell’s leadership framed the shutdown as part of a bigger push to streamline operations and boost manufacturing efficiency by fiscal 2026. The timing’s interesting: their fourth-quarter net sales went up 3.8% to $537.2 million, but full-year sales actually slipped 1.3% to $2.22 billion.
Alongside the closure, Edgewell announced a $100 million share buyback and a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share. They also wrapped up the sale of their Feminine Care business to Sweden’s Essity for $340 million. It feels like they’re doubling down on core products and trying to keep shareholders happy.
State and Local Response
Connecticut officials, including Gov. Ned Lamont’s team and Milford’s economic development office, are already rolling out plans to help laid-off workers. They’re talking job fairs, training, and tuition help to get folks back on their feet.
The WARN notice gives at least 60 days’ warning before mass layoffs, which gives the state and local agencies a fighting chance to respond and support people losing their jobs.
Layoffs Signal Broader Employment Challenges
Edgewell isn’t alone. Connecticut’s seen a string of layoffs lately—Macy’s, CVS Health, PerkinElmer, and a bunch of manufacturers and healthcare providers have all cut jobs. That’s a lot for workers to take in, and it puts the spotlight on the need for flexible workforce programs and smarter economic planning, especially in places like Hartford and Stamford.
What’s Next for Milford and Connecticut’s Workforce?
Edgewell’s headquarters isn’t going anywhere, but the manufacturing jobs are. They’re moving out of Connecticut, which, honestly, has become a familiar story in recent years.
This shift leaves a lot up in the air for industrial work in towns like Norwalk and Danbury. People there often count on manufacturing jobs in other parts of the state, so what happens next?
Local leaders keep pushing for investment in advanced manufacturing, tech, and green energy. They hope these areas can pick up the slack and open new doors for Connecticut’s workers.
- Layoffs Begin: March 2–16, 2026
- Plant Closes: December 31, 2027
- Workers Affected: 293, no union representation
- Severance and Outplacement: Provided by Edgewell
- Headquarters: Will remain in Connecticut
- Recent Financial Moves: $100 million share buyback, $0.15 dividend
- Business Sale: Feminine Care division sold for $340 million
- State Response: Job fairs, training, tuition assistance
The closure of Edgewell’s Milford plant really does feel like the end of an era for local manufacturing. The next couple of years? They’re going to be tough for workers and the community, but maybe there’s still room for some optimism and fresh starts in Connecticut’s shifting job market.
Here is the source article for this story: One of largest layoffs in a year coming to CT. This one includes almost 300 people.
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