A business with an over 70-year history in Warren and much more than that in the area will soon shutter its operation, leaving some three dozen employees seeking other job opportunities.
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A business with an over 70-year history in Warren and much more than that in the area will soon shutter its operation, leaving some three dozen employees seeking other job opportunities.
Pusterla 1880, which only just two years ago completed the purchase of the former Taylor Box Co., recently announced its intention to close the manufacturing plant long located at 293 Child St. in a matter of months. Functions performed here will shift to Pusterla's site in Oneonta, N.Y., known prior to its acquisition at the same time as Taylor as the Burt Rigid Box Inc.
Laura Brodie, president and co-owner of Burt who has continued on now as CEO of Pusterla's North America operations, confirmed the news in a phone call and later in an email.
Brodie said the Warren plan will will cease operations at the end of March, adding 39 employees are set to lose their jobs. However, she continued, "several client-facing team members will continue to work for Pusterla remotely, and all production staff were offered roles in our site in New York."
Brodie added, "We strongly endorse all of our colleagues, and are pleased to act as conduits and/or references to area companies looking for talented and loyal additions to their team."
Brodie urged all employees interested in either continuing with the company or assistance with finding other work to contact Rebecca Serencha, Human Resources Director for Pusterla North America by phone 401 245 5900, saying, "we will pass along inquiries to relevant individuals looking for opportunities."
When reached for comment about the closing, Daniel Shedd, the former owner/CEO of Taylor, said in his view, the lingering strains of the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in the shutdown. Its affect on the high-end retail market, where both of the smaller companies had their niches, has proven too much to overcome.
"We were purchased by Pusterla due to our dominance in the design and manufacturing of luxury packaging. They also purchased Burt Rigid Box at the same time as they are one of the leading producers of cosmetic and luxury packaging in the United States," Shedd wrote, also in an email.
He continued, "Their (Pusterla) vision was always to operate two facilities strategically united to create a domestic juggernaut to service their global luxury brand customers. However, due to COVID and the economic dislocation it caused, the luxury market stalled, and it became necessary for Pusterla USA to consolidate operations resulting in the closure of the Warren facility. This outcome was unexpected and not a part of their initial plan; as a matter of fact, Laura (Brodie) had been looking for ways to expand their Rhode Island operations and had been working with Rhode Island." Department of Commerce."
The combining of the small, locally-owned companies with the multi-national was heralded by both sides at the time of transaction.
In a story written for the Providence Business News on January 9, 2023, Pusterla CEO Roberto Marini was quoted as saying, “Our U.S. expansion continues our strategic focus on the high-end market. We are honored to serve our clients wherever they are and want to be and doing so regionally advances our foundational commitment to sustainable production. The addition to our group of two thriving American companies known for their quality, innovative solutions, and manufacturing experience will allow us to be present on a truly global scale.”
Shedd was equally effusive about the move, saying then, “Merging with Burt to become part of Pusterla 1880 will continue to power our growth. As a fourth-generation, family-owned business, it is exciting to join with another multi-generational group that shares our culture of excellence and integrity. My team is all looking forward to a future filled with new opportunities to grow as an organization and as individuals. Most importantly, our clients are excited to explore with us the new capabilities and global luxury packaging presence of Pusterla’s international footprint.”
Tracing its origins to 1880, Italy-based Pusterla has manufacturing facilities in Italy, France, Romania and the United Kingdom. It entered the North American market in 2023 with the dual purchase of Taylor and Burt Rigid.
Like Taylor, which was founded in 1885, Burt Rigid Box Inc. began in 1886 "serving clients in the fragrance and skincare, confectionary, entertainment, and retail markets."
Taylor's forté was "high-end packaging for industries such as wine and spirits, financial, brand-marketing and luxury internet." In his recent emails, Shedd noted the plant was moved from West Exchange Street in Providence to Warren in 1952, which allowed for the company to double the square footage of the operation.
Brodie was also quoted as saying at the time of the mergers, "To offer our clients and team the chance to participate in a global, yet very personal, business with a humble approach to service alongside industry-leading innovation and know-how is a privilege. I’m very excited to join owners Luca Meana, the Meana family, and Roberto Marini as a member of the leadership team of a company I believe in, serving an industry I love. I look forward to integrating Burt and Taylor, two historic rigid box leaders, as the foundation of Pusterla’s North American presence.”
Brodie's recent correspondence concluded with the following, "Pusterla, speaking also as the former Taylor Box Company, is grateful to Warren and the greater Rhode Island community for its decades of hospitality, support, and partnership."
Added Shedd this past week, "Our legacy and impact on the East Bay community is one that I know our team is extremely proud of. The Town of Warren was always supportive of our efforts to grow and prosper which made a substantial contribution to our success.
"In my 50 or so years owning and managing the company, I have been blessed to meet and work with folks who came to work with the goal of being the best and supporting each other in that quest. That effort resulted in our success; with customers, with our supply network, with a safe manufacturing workplace, in growing opportunities within the company, both national and international recognition winning over 35 Gold awards across the industry’s design competitions and most importantly building a great workplace community."