Reynolds added 800 jobs at the site between 2024 and 2025.
TOBACCOVILLE, N.C. — Reynolds American announced Tuesday it plans to add 200 new manufacturing jobs in 2026 at its Operations Center in Tobaccoville, continuing a recent surge in hiring tied to its smokeless products.
The company said the new positions build on roughly 800 jobs added between 2024 and 2025, bringing total recent job growth to more than 1,000 roles. The latest expansion is aimed at supporting continued demand for Velo Plus nicotine pouches and growing the company’s multi-category product portfolio.
Reynolds has also invested about $200 million into manufacturing upgrades to support its smokeless product lines, company officials said. The new equipment relies on ultra-high-speed, increasingly high-tech manufacturing systems, prompting expanded hiring for skilled operators and technicians.
“For 150 years, Reynolds has been a cornerstone of economic strength in our community, creating well-paying jobs that sustain families across generations,” said Brian Chambers, senior vice president of operations at Reynolds. “Today, we continue that legacy by embracing transformation and welcoming new team members to help grow our future.”
The company has partnered with Forsyth Technical Community College through the Future-Ready Workforce Alliance to help train new production workers through specialized programs designed to meet business needs.
Reynolds also said it plans to expand its workforce in Clarksville, Tennessee, with a separate hiring announcement expected in the future.
Earlier this year, Reynolds confirmed to WFMY News 2 that it was expanding production at the Tobaccoville site to accommodate growing demand for Velo Plus. That expansion included plans to add 300 jobs, including a mix of manufacturing and national trade marketing roles.
The Tobaccoville Operations Center opened in fall 2024 and spans more than 2 million square feet, making it the largest manufacturing center among subsidiaries within the British American Tobacco Group, according to the company. Reynolds said it hired for more than 500 jobs last year, most directly connected to its expanding smokeless portfolio.
The recent growth follows a period of workforce reductions. In 2022, WFMY News 2 reported Reynolds planned to cut 350 manufacturing jobs through 2024 as three facilities were relocated.
Reynolds has framed its shift toward smokeless products as part of its broader tobacco harm reduction strategy. “We have an opportunity to offer adult smokers who do not wish to quit tobacco products altogether evidence-based, innovative product choices that are potentially less risky than traditional combustible cigarettes,” the company said in a previous statement.