Following an extensive review of the manufacturing operations and market conditions, Japan Tobacco International (JTI) announced plans to close its factories in Cardiff, UK, and in Linz, Austria.

Based on current plans, the factory in Linz with an annual production volume of approximately 20 billion cigarettes will cease operations by the end of 2009. The plans will affect approximately 300 jobs in Linz and Vienna. Production in Austria will be focused in the Hainburg factory, which will be upgraded to a mid-size factory producing JTI’s strategic Global Flagship Brands, including Camel and Winston.
The Cardiff factory, which today manufactures approximately 330 million cigars annually, will cease operations in September 2009. The decision will affect 184 jobs across the site. The majority of Cardiff’s production will be transferred to the Lisnafillan factory in Northern Ireland, and is expected to create up to 95 new jobs in the area.
The two closures reduce Japan Tobacco International’s total factory count from 33 to 31.