Avon Closing Its Doors in Suffern to Move to Brazil and Poland

Rockland Daily Staff

The global cosmetics giant, Avon, announced on Thursday that it would be moving its R&D operations to Brazil and Poland within 18 months.

According to the company, the move was made "to further deliver its Global Innovation Program and realize significant cost efficiencies".

"For 136 years, breakthrough innovation has been at the core of the Avon brand with our proprietary technology and award-winning, affordable beauty products," Angela Cretu, CEO of Avon, said. "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."

Rockland/Westchester Journal News reported that the transition will begin with layoffs of employees in March 2023. This information came from Mayor Michael Curley after speaking with company officials.

In a news release on Thursday, the company stated that they plan to close entirely in 2024 and develop facilities in its two largest markets. The company also said that having research and development in key Avon markets will enable closer connections with representatives and consumers.

In 1897, Avon moved from NYC to a manufacturing facility in downtown Suffern under California Perfume Co. McConnell built a  house in the heart of downtown Suffern, and he changed the company name to Avon.

Rockland/Westchester Journal News reported that Craig Long, retired police detective and Suffern Historian, said, "You can't think of Suffern without thinking of Avon".

Long also spoke about how the company was always an integral part of the community, such as Avon Park and McConnell Stadium at that Suffern Middle School. Avon was also a significant employer for residents and was Rockland's second-largest non-government employer in the 1970s, with over one thousand employees.

"It will be an extremely sad day if Avon shuts its doors and leaves the village of Suffern," Long said. "The departure will mark the close of a very important chapter in Suffern's history."