Pharmacy giant Walgreens Co. will close a distribution center in Killingly later this year, laying off hundreds of employees, according to a notice filed with the state labor department.
Walgreens will layoff 322 employees at the distribution center in the Dayville section beginning May 17, according to a WARN notice filed with the state on March 14.
The Killingly distribution center is one of two being eliminated in the United States, as the drugstore chain said it seeks “to streamline capacities to best support our stores,” a Walgreens spokesman said, in a statement.
The other distribution center being shuttered is in Orlando, Fla. A total of 646 jobs are being eliminated, according to the statement.
“We are focused on aligning our operational structure to best serve our patients and customers,” the statement said.
Walgreens has about 100 locations in Connecticut. Walgreens couldn’t immediately provide a count of employees.
Walgreens said the layoffs are expected to be permanent.
The pharmacy chain said employees losing their jobs will be given the chance to participate in the on-site career fairs and outplacement services to help find new employment. Workers losing their jobs also can apply for other open positions with the company.
Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com
