The subsidiary of British American Tobacco, Renault USA, announced that it will add 200 manufacturing positions to the Renault Operations Center in 2026. This expansion is aimed at supporting the continued growth of the Velo Plus nicotine pouch products. Renault USA stated that it has invested approximately $200 million to upgrade manufacturing equipment and promote high-tech automated production.
Key Highlights
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New Positions: 200 manufacturing roles to be added in Tobaccoville in 2026
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Total New Jobs (Last Two Years): Over 1,000 new positions (800 in 2024–2025)
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Investment: About USD 200 million in smokeless product production and equipment upgrades
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Core Products: Velo Plus nicotine pouches and multi-category smokeless products
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Training Initiative: Partnership with Forsyth Technical College for the “Future Skills Alliance” program
Expansion to Support Smoke-Free Product Growth
December 11, 2025 — According to Renault USA, the company will add 200 manufacturing jobs at its Renault Operations Center in Tobaccoville, North Carolina, in 2026. The new roles are designed to support the rapid expansion of its smoke-free product portfolio.
Over 1,000 New Jobs Created in Two Years
With this round of hiring, Renault will have created more than 1,000 new positions over the past two years. Between 2024 and 2025, the company added 800 positions as part of its long-term strategy of “Building a Smokeless World.”
$200 Million Investment in Advanced Manufacturing
Renault has recently invested nearly $200 million USD in modernizing its manufacturing facilities. The upgrades include expanded production capacity for smoke-free products, especially the Velo Plus nicotine pouch production line.
Increasing Demand for Skilled Technicians
As automation levels rise across Renault’s manufacturing operations, the company noted that the demand for highly skilled technical workers continues to increase.
Partnership to Develop Future Manufacturing Talent
To support talent development, Renault has partnered with Forsyth Technical College to launch the “Future-Ready Workforce Alliance, a specialized training initiative designed to equip students with the skills needed for modern manufacturing.
