MANCHESTER – Orvis, one of the oldest businesses in the heart of Manchester and internationally known for its quality outdoor and recreational products, announced a planned employee reduction of 8 percent of its workforce and other cost-saving measures.

“Over the course of our nearly 170-year history, the company has experienced similar cycles, but today’s challenges are new, and they require us to be bold in order to continue sharing stories, experiences, and products that inspire our customers well into the future,” said Orvis President Simon Perkins in a statement sent to the Journal.

“We will reduce our overall topline sales, which will allow us to tighten our assortment to best represent the brand,” he said. In addition, Perkins said the company would close a limited number of retail stores and eliminate it’s catalog, eliminating “the use of over 2,500 tons of paper annually.”

The changes will be implemented over the coming 18 months. This decision comes on the heels of the company’s decision to close and sell its Sunderland corporate headquarters and move some of those employees to the Manchester campus. That change was announced in January.

“We know this work is necessary. We also know that it is difficult, because it impacts the lives of our associates and communities,” Perkins said. “The people we are saying goodbye to have made indelible impacts on the brand, their colleagues and the lives of our customers. We are investing the time, care and resources needed to honor and support them throughout this process.”

He said the employees being let go will receive two months of full pay and benefits, additional severance pay, and assistance with health insurance and job transition services.

Despite the reductions, Perkins said, “the core of our brand identity — fly fishing, wingshooting and conservation — has never been stronger as we build forward.”

Orvis was founded in Manchester in 1856 by Charles F. Orvis, focusing on fly-fishing equipment. Currently the company’s expansion includes clothing, home furnishings, gifts, pet supplies, education and training programs and more. It was not clear how the various products will be impacted by the announcement of reductions. The company declined to further comment.

Scott Murphy, Manchester town manager, said the town has not spoken with Orvis about its decision.

“The announcement is concerning but it seems like an overall strategy from the company to help them remain competitive,” Murphy said on Wednesday. “They did some restructuring last spring and brought a lot of their staff in from the Sunderland location, so maybe this is part of that.”

Matt Harrington, executive director of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, said Thursday, “We’re very sad to hear about the transitions happening with Orvis. It certainly that impacts our community, especially those workers.”

Harrington said the silver lining is that in Vermont the ratio of jobs-to-workers is 2-1; there are two jobs for every potential employee. 

“We have more jobs than we have workers to fill them. A lot of those workers will be absorbed into the retail and manufacturing economy,” he added.

“This is the market. With Orvis you’re dealing with manufacturing and retail. We know the pressure on both of those are extreme,” he said. “The pressure to adapt and reform is huge in the post-COVID world.”

As evidence of the changing market, he noted the growing number of Vermont businesses moving into Manchester, including Vermont Teddy Bear, Vermont Flannel, Danforth Pewter and Teaselwood Design.

Harrington said it’s important that Bennington County businesses embrace change. “While recognizing it’s very sad and hard, we understand what we are losing, but think of what we’re gaining.”