Philip Morris International (PMI), a tobacco company working to replace cigarettes with smoke-free products, is investing $232 million to expand its facility in Owensboro.
The Owensboro facility, Swedish Match North America Owensboro, is owned by Philip Morris International and produces Swedish Match ZYN nicotine pouches.
Popular Cigarette Alternative
The announcement is the fifth largest investment project supported by the state this year and will bring 450 new jobs to Daviess County.
The expanded production will allow Swedish Match to meet growing global demand from legal-age consumers for smoke-free products.
ZYN pouches are oral nicotine pouches that come in a variety of flavors and have become a popular alternative to cigarettes.
“Smoking cigarettes is the most harmful way to consume nicotine. We are accelerating our mission toward a smoke-free future, working with our U.S. affiliates to move adults away from cigarettes and other traditional tobacco products by providing better alternatives,” said Stacey Kennedy, CEO of PMI’s U.S. Business. “This investment in U.S. manufacturing capacity will increase the Kentucky plant’s workforce by about 40%, providing good-paying jobs and helping to meet the increasing demand for smoke-free products.”
Swedish Match North America Owensboro opened in 1973 and currently employs around 1,100 people.
Construction on the expanded facility has already begun with completion expected by Q2 2025.
The investment also will facilitate the move from a 24-hour, five days-per-week schedule to 24/7 production later this year.
New jobs created at the location will include engineers, production staff, technicians and quality control.
“I’m excited to see this incredible new investment and the 450 great job opportunities it is creating for families in Owensboro and the surrounding region,” said Governor Andy Beshear. “Our economy continues to set records, and today’s announcement shows we’re bringing jobs to our people instead of making our people move to the jobs. I want to thank and congratulate company leadership for doubling down here in the commonwealth and look forward to many more years of prosperity.”
Investing Billions Globally
PMI is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, and its U.S. affiliates have more than 2,300 employees.
Since 2008, PMI has invested $12.5 billion globally to develop, scientifically substantiate and commercialize innovative smoke-free products for legal-age nicotine consumers.
In addition to Swedish Match North America Owensboro, the company also operates a facility in Wilson, North Carolina, that produces HEETS, the consumable for the IQOS heated tobacco device.
More information on career opportunities is available here.
For more information about Swedish Match, visit swedishmatch.com.
