Illume Candles To Close Maple Grove Plant, Lay Off 132 Workers

Illume, a maker of scented candles and home fragrances, plans to close its Maple Grove manufacturing facility and lay off 132 workers, according to a WARN Act notice filed with the state.

In a press release to CCX News, the company called it a “difficult decision” to cease manufacturing at the Maple Grove plant, located at 10501 Elm Creek Blvd, near The Fountains at Arbor Lakes shopping center.

“This move was necessitated by deteriorating overall business conditions – including reduced demand from our contract-fill customers, coupled with a challenging and uncertain cost environment,” said Cassandra Sink, vice president of human resources at Illume, in a statement.

According to the company, the closure will occur over several phases with the first phase of employee layoffs on Dec. 1. Manufacturing will end at the Maple Grove plant by Feb. 1 with customer order fulfillment occurring for several months after.

“Through this transition, we will make every effort to ensure continuity for our customers and most importantly, our employees,” wrote Sink. “We are forever grateful to each and every employee for their contributions.”

Illume moved its headquarters to Maple Grove in 2019. It has sold its products through retailers like Target, Anthropologie and West Elm.

Candle products made by Illume.

While manufacturing will cease in Minnesota, the company said marketing and distribution of ILLUME brand products will continue under Illume’s parent company, Memphis, Tenn.-based Creative Co-Op. Manufacturing will be outsourced to “select external partners, held to the same high-quality standards,” the company said.

Sink said the closure will not impact Good Chemistry, the company’s personal care brand.

The Illume cuts impact a range of positions at the Maple Grove facility from marketing and sales positions to R&D, manufacturing and distribution employees.

Maple Grove