Avon is shuttering its Research & Development (R&D) operations in Suffern, New York and will instead plow its resources into R&D sites in Brazil and Poland.
The locating of R&D in key Avon markets is said to form part of Avon’s ‘Open Up and Grow’ strategy, which aims to deliver aspirational, affordable beauty via an omnichannel selling model.
Avon anticipates the move will allow it to build ‘seamless’ communities with its supply chain operations, as well as with Natura & Co stablemate Natura Cosméticos in Brazil, with Avon and Natura co-locating R&D at Natura’s site in Cajamar.
“For 136 years, breakthrough innovation has been at the core of the Avon brand with our proprietary technology and award winning, affordable beauty products,” said Angela Cretu, CEO of Avon.
“We believe this evolution of our R&D operations will give us access to a wider ecosystem of partners to drive our innovation pipeline.
“We’re incredibly proud of our Suffern team and grateful for the strong innovation foundation that we will build on.”
According to local publication the Rockland/Westchester Journal News, Suffern’s Mayor, Michael Curley, said Avon plans to close its operations in the village at the end of 2024, and will begin laying off workers in early 2023.
Curley estimated that Avon’s Suffern facility currently employees 160 people.