Reynolds American closing cigarette factory in Winston-Salem

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Tobacco company Reynolds American says it
will close two cigarette plants – one in its headquarters city in
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and another in Puerto Rico – in a
move to adjust to changing demand for cigarettes.

The nation’s second-largest cigarette maker says production of
cigarettes like Camel and Pall Mall will shift to its largest
facility in Tobaccoville, N.C., this summer. It says about 60 jobs
in Puerto Rico will be eliminated in the consolidation.

At the same time, Reynolds says it will expand its smokeless
tobacco processing and manufacturing capacity at facilities in
Memphis and Clarksville, Tenn.

The maker of Kodiak and Grizzly smokeless tobacco says the two
plants will be fully operational by early 2012.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)