Mayor Sarno states, “I am deeply appreciative of Shawn Pace and his team at Eastman for their continued support and offering to work with my Administration, Smith & Wesson and all of our local, state, private and public partners as we collectively work together to make this transition as simple as possible for all those employees and their families who may be affected. Although this transition will not happen right away and Smith & Wesson President and CEO Mark Smith has again reassured the City that they will provide a very generous severance package and job placement services to each and every affected employee to bridge them to new employment if they stay in the area. We will collectively work together to ensure that this process is smooth and just as important, we will continue to work with Smith & Wesson to retain the 1,000 remaining jobs here in Springfield.”
“Eastman Corporation, like many of our local businesses, have been a great corporate citizen. Time and again Eastman has provide much-needed relief and assistance to our City, from donating much-needed PPES, providing over 1,000 desks for our SPS students last year during remote learning, to providing small business grants and donating traffic slow-down signals to our Indian Orchard and East Springfield Neighborhoods,” Mayor Sarno continued. “My Administration will continue to work together with Eastman as they continue to expand and enhance their own local operations and I again thank Mr. Pace and his team for offering to help in any capacity that may be appropriate.”
Eastman Indian Orchard Plant Manager Shawn Pace stated, “We appreciate the opportunity through Mayor Sarno and his Administration to begin to discuss the possibility of members of Smith & Wesson’s skilled labor force considering positions at Eastman in the future. When those workers and Smith & Wesson are ready, we want them to know that we are here and want to be helpful.”
“Eastman continually reviews its business and workforce strategies to remain competitive and to ensure our long-term success. Like many, we are still learning about Smith & Wesson’s announcement. Eastman stands ready to offer any assistance that Mayor Sarno, his Administration and Smith & Wesson deem appropriate,” added Shawn Pace, Plant Manager, Eastman Indian Orchard.
“Again, Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan and my entire Administration will continue to work with Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, MassHire Executive Director Dave Cruise, Smith & Wesson President and CEO Mark Smith, our state Legislature and all of our public and private partners during this time of transition,” said Mayor Sarno.