Gov. Rell Tries to Save 400 UST Jobs

GREENWICH, CT-Gov. M. Jodi Rell traveled to UST Inc.'s headquarters here to meet with company officials about the firm's possible move from Greenwich.

A UST Inc. spokesman says, "It is true that UST is considering moving its corporate headquarters from Greenwich. We would prefer to stay in Connecticut, but all options are on the table. We have not yet listed the building. We are looking at alternatives right now."

The company, which manufactures and markets smokeless tobacco products such as Copenhagen and Skoal, has its corporate headquarters at the 125,000-sf 100 W. Putnam Ave. building where it employs 400 workers. The company relocated to Greenwich from New York City in 1970.

The spokesman adds that the study of its headquarters operations is part of a $100-million cost savings initiative over the next three years announced last month by UST president and COO Murray S. Kessler entitled "Project Momentum."

"We are looking at all of our costs of doing business with an eye toward being more competitive going forward in a very competitive external environment for smokeless tobacco," the spokesman notes.

After her discussions with UST executives, Rell said, "Preserving and creating jobs in Connecticut are absolute top priorities for me. That is why I have already spoken by phone with the incoming CEO, Murray Kessler, and why I wanted to meet face-to-face with company management to underscore my commitment to keeping UST as a partner in Connecticut's economy."

She adds, "I want make it clear that the state will do whatever we can to help UST stay--and hopefully grow--in Connecticut for years to come." The governor has appointed Holly Campo de la Vera, executive director of the state's Office of Business and Industry Development at the Department of Economic and Community Development, to work with the company on a direct, day-by-day basis.