PEABODY– One of the city’s largest employers is shutting down operations.
Rousselot, a leading producer of gelatin and collagen-based solutions, recently announced it will close its Peabody plant by the end of 2023.
“Obviously this is major news as Rousselot is one of the city’s largest property owners and employers,” said Peabody Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr.
The main plant is located at 227 Washington St. Bettencourt said the company also owns land “all across the downtown area and South Peabody.”
The company expanded to Peabody in 2011 after Eastman Kodak Company sold its Eastman Gelatine Corporation business to Rousselot.
Plant Manager Gary Less informed Bettencourt Monday that Rousselot told Peabody facility employees of the decision to shut down.
Less wrote that the decision to close the 575,000-foot facility “is based on economics and optimization of the company’s portfolio.”
“It has been a pleasure to be a part of the Peabody community for many years, and we look forward to continuing to do so while we support our employees and responsibly wind down our operations,” Less added.
Bettencourt said that after hearing the news, he immediately thought of the plant’s employees.
“My first thought right away was the potential loss of jobs for dozens of people that work at that facility,” Bettencourt said. “A number of them are Peabody residents, so my first thought is for them and hoping things work out.”
As Rousselot is one of the city’s biggest taxpayers, the closure will no doubt affect the city. Bettencourt said that it is “too early to speculate” exactly how it will impact Peabody.
Bettencourt added that he is in the process of scheduling a meeting with Less to obtain additional details.
“We’re looking forward to learning about their plans and working with them on a plan that can work well for the city of Peabody,” he said.
