AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT JUUL LABS (08/23/23)

OCTOBER 23, 2023 — 30% OF STAFF TARGETED

The financially and legislatively embattled company announced that it plans to lay off roughly 30% of its workforce as it seeks to raise additional capital or sell the company.

The reduction will impact approximately 250 employees.

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 — THE COMPANY AVOIDS BANKRUPTCY AND LAYS OFF 30% OF ITS WORKFORCE.

The company has announced additional cost-cutting measures, including a reduction in force impacting 400 employees.

The company still faces hundreds of lawsuits and onerous regulations like those banning flavored tobacco products.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 — MORE REGULATIONS EQUAL MORE LAYOFFS

The company has announced that it is preparing to execute another “significant round” of layoffs and considering stopping sales in Europe and Asia. The reason given is the increasingly hostile regulatory environment regarding the crackdown on underage vaping and the potential link between COVID-19 and vaping activities.

It is believed that approximately 1,200 employees may be impacted as the company attempts a major reduction in force. Evaluation of the situation is ongoing.

NOVEMBER 13, 2019 — ANOTHER 150 LAYOFFS

Now the total is 650 employees.

NOVEMBER 12, 2019 — Original post …

San Francisco, California-based Juul Labs, the electronic cigarette company that sells a nicotine delivery system believed by some to be safer than conventional tobacco-based products, has announced that it is planning a reduction in force to better align employee headcount with the existing operations and marketplace demands. It is estimated that approximately 500 employees will be laid off. The company continues to face regulatory headwinds and a potential problem linking lung injuries and deaths to so-called “vaping” products.

In September 2019, the company’s new CEO, K.C. Crosthwaite, a veteran of Altria, one of the world’s largest tobacco operations, claimed he would “continue a broad review of the company’s practices and policies to ensure alignment with its aim of responsible leadership within the industry. Effective immediately, JUUL Labs announced the company was: “suspending all broadcast, print, and digital product advertising in the United States and refrain from lobbying the Administration on its draft guidance and committing to fully support and comply with the final policy when effective.” This reduction in marketing activities likely is the major driver of the reduction in force.

Altria will revalue its 35% 2018 investment in Juul from $13 billion to $8.5 billion. Look for a number of Altria executives and specialists to join Juul in its turnaround efforts.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT ACORDA THERAPEUTICS

Ardsley, New York-based Acorda Therapeutics, a biotechnology company offering neurological therapies, has used their third-quarter earnings report to announce a major restructuring that begins with a 25% reduction in its workforce or approximately 120 employees. Layoffs will commence immediately and be completed by the first quarter of 2020. The company continues to struggle financially with a severe decline in share prices. It is unknown what might happen if the company’s primary lenders cannot reach an agreement to refinance outstanding balances coming due in the short-term.

According to the company’s President and CEO, Dr. Ron Cohen, “This restructuring, although difficult, will enable Acorda to focus its resources on ensuring the success of INBRIJA, and will provide flexibility for the Company to address its capital structure. INBRIJA is an important medication for people with Parkinson’s who suffer from OFF periods, thanks to the extraordinary work of Acorda’s associates in developing and making it available. We are saddened that a number of them will be leaving the company, and grateful for their commitment and many contributions.”

The company appears to be poised for an acquisition which would add to the uncertainty of the employment situation.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT GLAXOSMITHKLINE (07/22/25)

JULY 22, 2025 — 150 EMPLOYEES IN CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS

The company has announced the cessation of manufacturing operations at a Cambridge facility.

The work stoppage will impact 150 employees at its Cambridge, Massachusetts facility.The layoffs will occur between October 4, 2025, and March 31, 2025.

According to a spokesperson, “One of the company’s three locations in Cambridge would transition to only research and development work, with manufacturing moving to Marietta, Pennsylvania. The Binney Street site remains a vital facility in our R&D network, contributing to our presence in the greater Boston area. We’re always focused on allocating resources to our priorities and making sure we have the right people in the right teams. These actions fit into that strategy.”

AUGUST 7, 2021 — GSK CLOSING CARLISLE, PENNSYLVANIA PLANT WITH 308 LAYOFFS. PRODUCTION OUTSOURCED TO PUERTO RICO.

The company has confirmed that it will close a manufacturing facility in Carlisle, Pennsylvania with the production of Emergen-C, a powdered drink mix vitamin C supplement, ending by mid-year 2021. 308 employees will be impacted by the closure.

According to a company statement, “After careful review, GSK has decided to close the Carlisle, PA site to consolidate volumes and generate efficiencies by moving the site’s production to our Guayama, Puerto Rico facility. Based on this decision, which impacts approximately 308 employees, production will be phased out of Carlisle by mid-2021, with a full exit by April 2022.

Reminder: Many management decisions may be driven by activist investor Elliott Management.

Update: 9/11/21 — changed employee count and full exit date.

JULY 7, 2021 — GSK CLOSING MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE PLANT

The company has announced that it will be closing its facility on President’s Island by September 2022, and laying off all 156 current workers. Layoffs began in June 2021.

Under extreme pressure from activist investor Elliott Management, GSK is planning to split in two and plans to spin off its consumer products group to concentrate on vaccines and pharmaceuticals. The facility produces Polident denture cleaning products and other oral care brands.

APRIL 22, 2019 — GSK LAYOFFS IN PENNSYLVANIA

GSK announced that it will lay off about 100 employees at its research and development center in Upper Providence, Pennsylvania as part of a reorganization that will refocus the company’s research on genetics, the immune system, and oncology.

A GSK spokesperson offered, “The future direction of our portfolio has become clearer, prioritizing innovation and moving toward delivering a pipeline of transformational medicines with a focus on immunology, genetically validated targets, and finding platforms and technologies that amplify our science. We anticipate a small number of roles will be directly impacted by these changes but continue to expect GSK’s R&D operations to grow overall with increased investment.”

OCTOBER 18, 2018 — GSK SHEDS 100 EMPLOYEES IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE FACILITY

GSK Consumer Health-Global Manufacturing & Supply, a division of GlaxoSmithKline, will be permanently laying off approximately 100 jobs at their President’s Island facility in Memphis, Tennessee. The decision was driven by the end of a contract manufacturing agreement.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018 — Original post…

Brentford, London-based pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has announced that it would be implementing is previously-announced restructuring plan and laying off 650 employees in the United States; including 450 national field sales representatives and 100 “back office” employees in both their Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Research Triangle Park, North Carolina offices.

In its July 2018 Second Quarter earnings release, the company noted that “Focused improvements in operating performance have helped deliver increases in earnings and cash flow.” Chief Executive Emma Walmsley also announced “a new major restructuring program, which aims to significantly improve the competitiveness and efficiency of the Group’s cost base with savings delivered primarily through supply chain optimization and reductions in administrative costs.”

For those who are following the pharmaceutical industry in the trade press, the restructuring and layoffs should come as no surprise. Especially with the increased use of consumer-direct advertising through radio, television, and targeted social media outlets and the reduction in drug “detail” sales representatives calling on physicians. Drugs coming off-patent, the rise of generic bio-similar products, and the pricing pressures of large drug purchasing intermediaries are also weighing heavily on the industry.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?