Gillette is set to end over a century of manufacturing operations in South Boston as it moves to an underused campus in Andover. Procter & Gamble (P&G), Gillette's parent company, unveiled its modernization plan which involves an investment of $1 billion over the coming decade, as reported by the Boston Globe. The company will offer the current manufacturing staff of approximately 450 people jobs in Andover while the remaining 750 employees at the corporate, engineering, and R&D levels maintain their positions in South Boston.

The company's CEO of the, Gary Coombe, explained that Gillette had been contemplating the move since 2019 as part of an assessment of its Massachusetts sites. Coombe referenced this move as a "critical moment" for the company and affirmed its future's "meaningful presence" in both locations, according to Masslive.

With the relocation about Gillette's manufacturing to Andover's 150-acre site, there is a major push factor in the form of available space suitable for modernization. The new location will house Gillette's blade and razor, aerosol and chemistry manufacturing lines, packaging, and direct-to-consumer operations, according to MassLive. The move also allows other P&G sectors to potentially utilize the campus, such as the beauty division, which is considering transferring additional products there and doubling its bar soap production within the next couple years.

Regarding the soon-to-be vacated 31-acre South Boston Campus, Gillette's departure signals new redevelopment potential. Arthur Jemison, head of the Boston Planning & Development Agency, spoke to the potential of the site in a statement to the Boston Globe. He sees an opportunity in the shift to redefine the use of the site and provide benefits to both South Boston and the overall city with elements such as mixed market and affordable housing, public open spaces, resilience strategies, and job possibilities.

According to  MassLive, the execution of employee relocations to Andover will be over the next two to three years. The company plans to extend job offers to all South Boston manufacturing staff and provide necessary assistance to ease the transition.

Anticipating the potential for community impact due to the South Boston site's transformation, Gillette is planning to hold a community meeting for discussion on its future vision for the location. The company's choice to shift its manufacturing and invest in modernization reflects its commitment to adaptability and long-term growth, despite changes in the industrial landscape.