Reynolds American launches U.S. investment plan: to invest $3.2 billion to expand capacity and advance a shift toward smokeless products

Key Takeaways

• Reynolds American announced it will invest more than $3.2 billion in its U.S. operations by 2030;
• The investment began in 2024 and is expected to support more than 2,000 direct and indirect jobs;
• The company says it has invested more than $200 million in U.S. manufacturing over the past two years;
• The company says its sites in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Clarksville, Tennessee, will continue to be modernized and expanded;
• The company says it employs hundreds of scientists in Winston-Salem and invests about $100 million annually in R&D, mainly for smokeless-category development.

2Firsts, March 6, 2026

According to PRNewswire, Reynolds American announced a plan to invest more than $3.2 billion across its U.S. operations by 2030. The company says the investment began in 2024 and is expected to support more than 2,000 direct and indirect jobs across Reynolds American’s operations and U.S. supply network, including roles tied to manufacturing expansion and innovation initiatives.

The company says the announcement also launched the “Growing Tomorrow” program. The company says the program is tied to its business advancement and involves its multi-category nicotine product business.

David Waterfield, President and CEO of Reynolds American, referenced the program in the plan, saying it relates to the company’s investments in U.S. manufacturing and jobs, and also mentioned expanding manufacturing capabilities and strengthening the workforce.

In the “Growing Performance” section, the company says the investment will support its transition toward “a predominantly smokeless future” and focus on high-growth categories. The company lists multi-year investment priorities including modernization and expansion of U.S. manufacturing, scaling innovation and production, strengthening domestic supply chains, and advancing workforce capabilities and operational improvement. The company also says that, as part of this commitment, more than $200 million has already been invested in U.S. manufacturing over the past two years.

In the “Growing Innovation” section, the company says its research and manufacturing hub in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and its operations site in Clarksville, Tennessee, will support related R&D and production arrangements. The company says planned investments will modernize facilities and expand production capacity. The company also says it employs hundreds of scientists in Winston-Salem and is supported by approximately $100 million in annual R&D investment, most of which is focused on smokeless-category development.

In the “Growing Careers & Community” section, the company says it employs more than 4,300 people across the U.S., with roles spanning advanced manufacturing, engineering, science, skilled operations and corporate functions. The company says it will continue investing in technology, training and workforce readiness, and that it will generate related impacts through its supply network. Borgia Walker, Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at Reynolds American, said in the plan that the company will focus on capability building, expanding opportunities and employee career development.

The company also notes links between its business and agriculture and local economies, and says North Carolina is a major U.S. tobacco-producing state, with farmers and agricultural partners connected to its domestic supply chain. The company says that in 2025 it was the largest purchaser of U.S. tobacco leaf produced by American farmers.

The company says “Growing Tomorrow” is linked to its investment plan through 2030 and will cover manufacturing, R&D and workforce-related arrangements across its U.S. operations.

Image Source: PRNewswire