Philip Morris International plans to close a tobacco processing plant in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, by the end of 2007.

The factory, which has 137 employees, processes and blends tobacco for export to the company's cigarette manufacturing operations in other countries.
Company spokesman Greg Prager said the closing is part of ongoing changes for Philip Morris International, which is based in Switzerland and sells cigarettes in 160 countries but not the United States. It is the sister company of Richmond-based Philip Morris USA.
Philip Morris International has operated the Dinwiddie plant for ten years. Prager says the closing will not affect PMI’s purchases of Virginia-grown tobacco.