Bennington Energizer factory closing

BENNINGTON — With a two-paragraph note Thursday afternoon, a major Bennington employer for decades — Energizer — confirmed that the local factory will close.

"This morning we announced the closure of our Energizer specialty battery manufacturing plant in Bennington, Vermont, to move to our facility in Portage, Wisconsin," Marcus K. Boolish, the director of government affairs for Energizer Brands, said in an email to Sen. Dick Sears. "On behalf of Energizer and the years of productive engagement we have had with you and your office, we wanted to send you a personal note to notify you of the closure."

Boolish added, "Our recent battery and lights acquisition has transformed the size of our business. We are now the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of batteries and portable lights. In order to be successful as a larger company, we are making significant investments to better utilize our existing manufacturing facilities, reduce complexity in our operations, and enhance service to our customers."

Sears, fellow Bennnington County Sen. Brian Campion, and state Rep. Timothy Corcoran II issued a joint statement on the closure Thursday evening:

Read more: https://www.benningtonbanner.com/stories/bennington-energizer-factory-closing,588346