The news arrived not with a public announcement, but as a formal document quietly filed with the state: a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) signaling the closure of a major Knoxville manufacturing plant. For 132 employees at 2820 Media Drive, the notice confirmed weeks of rumors—their jobs, which had long supported families and anchored daily routines, would soon disappear. Yet the process would not be swift. Instead, workers now face an 18-month period of uncertainty, with layoffs scheduled to unfold gradually from June 2026 through December 2027.
The closure marks the end of decades of local production for everyday consumer goods—razors, sunscreens, and grooming products found in bathrooms across America. The hands that assembled these essentials belonged to Knoxville residents, many of whom took pride in their work’s reach and reliability. Now, as the plant prepares to wind down, the community must grapple with the loss of a longstanding economic pillar.
Inside a Corporate Restructuring
The Knoxville plant’s closure is part of a broader strategic shift by Edgewell Personal Care, the corporation behind the facility. The company has described the move as a “broader strategic business decision,” but has not disclosed where production will be relocated—whether to another U.S. site or overseas. This lack of transparency has left workers and local leaders speculating about the future of these manufacturing jobs.
Edgewell is also closing a larger facility in Milford, Connecticut, eliminating 293 jobs on a similar timeline. In total, 425 positions will be phased out across both plants by the end of 2027. The closures come as Edgewell navigates challenging market conditions and declining North American sales, prompting a significant restructuring of its operations.
The company’s recent financial reports underscore the pressures it faces. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, Edgewell posted a loss driven by a non-cash impairment charge related to the sale of its feminine care division. Despite a 3.8 percent increase in sales to $537.2 million, executives cited uneven consumer demand and shrinking profit margins as ongoing challenges.
Economic Ripples in Knox County
For Knox County, the loss of 132 manufacturing jobs represents more than just individual hardship. With average manufacturing wages in Tennessee at $24.83 per hour as of August 2025, the closure will remove an estimated $6.8 million in annual payroll from the local economy. This figure does not account for benefits, overtime, or the broader economic impact as workers spend their earnings at local businesses.
Manufacturing employment in the Knoxville metropolitan area has declined from 47,649 jobs in Q1 2024 to 45,300 by August 2025, reflecting the sector’s broader challenges. The Edgewell closure will further reduce these numbers, compounding recent losses from other local employers. In the past two years, companies such as EXEDY America Corporation, Technical Response, Inc., and Red Stag Fulfillment have collectively eliminated hundreds of positions through layoffs and closures.
Despite these setbacks, Knox County’s economy remains resilient. The unemployment rate stood at 3.2 percent in August 2025, well below the national average of 4.0 percent. Total employment in the county reached 450,465, reflecting continued economic strength and a tight labor market.
Support and Uncertainty for Workers
As the closure approaches, affected workers face a period of prolonged uncertainty. Edgewell has not specified which departments will be phased out first, leaving employees unsure whether to seek new jobs immediately or wait for transition benefits. Many families must weigh whether to remain in the area or relocate, especially those with deep community ties or children in local schools.
To support displaced workers, the East Tennessee Human Resources Agency’s rapid response team has been activated. The East Tennessee Workforce Development Board will coordinate services such as career counseling, job search assistance, and retraining programs. Edgewell has indicated it will offer severance packages, outplacement assistance, and tuition reimbursement, though specific details for Knoxville have not been made public.
The closure also coincides with Edgewell’s sale of its feminine care division—including brands like Playtex and Stayfree—to Swedish company Essity AB for $340 million. This transaction, expected to close in early 2026, is part of the company’s broader restructuring efforts.
Looking Ahead: Community Resilience and New Investments
While the loss of the Edgewell plant is a significant blow, Knox County is also attracting new manufacturing investments. In November 2025, state officials announced that Aqua Membranes, a water treatment technology company, will establish a new facility in the area, creating 94 jobs and investing $6.6 million.
The federal WARN Act ensures that workers receive advance notice of mass layoffs, and Edgewell’s 18-month notification period exceeds the legal minimum. Still, the effects of the closure will extend beyond direct job losses. Manufacturing positions often support additional employment in supplier, logistics, and service industries, with economic multipliers suggesting that each lost job could impact up to two others in the community.
For the workers and families affected, the coming months will bring difficult decisions and transitions. As Knox County adapts to these changes, the community’s economic resilience and capacity to attract new investment will be tested, shaping the region’s future in the wake of a major industrial loss.