The P&G Hair Care facility, 2200 Lower Muscatine Road, Iowa City
By CBJ News Staff
news@corridorbusiness.com
Procter & Gamble (P&G) plans to maintain some hair care operations in Iowa City that it had announced plans two years ago to shift to a new West Virginia facility, the company announced May 14.
Instead of closing, P&G said it will be introducing new production capabilities, with a focus on new product innovation. It will produce a diverse mix of products, the company said, including existing hair care products and some new forms of products.
As it previously announced, P&G plans to maintain its oral rinse production at the Iowa City plant, which employs about 300.
“Over the past two years, Procter & Gamble has been conducting a variety of studies to help determine the future of our Iowa City plant,” Jason Jackson, plant manager for P&G’s Iowa City Beauty Care site, said in a news release. “One thing’s become obvious to us: We need both Iowa City and our Tabler Station (West Virginia) plants to meet the emerging needs of our North America business.”
The announcement was not a complete surprise. The CBJ reported last October that P&G had resumed hiring at the Iowa City plant, with plans to add about 100 employees.
Mr. Jackson cited the strong performance of the Iowa City workforce and the community’s culture of innovation as important factors in the decision.
Kate Moreland, president of Iowa City Area Development Group (ICAD) praised the decision in a statement, calling the community’s culture of innovation and its workforce a “perfect match for P&G’s new innovation plans.”
Ms. Moreland also praised P&G’s COVID-19 safety efforts, saying the company has shifted to producing face masks and hand sanitizer at multiple sites, including over 200 drums of hand sanitizer at the Iowa City Beauty Care plant. She noted that some of the hand sanitizer has been donated to local hospitals and the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency.
P&G has consistently been one of the community’s top employers since opening in 1956, said Laura Bergus, a city council member and ICAD Board member, adding that it pays a livable wage and gives back to the community. CBJ
