- One of the most important tampon factories in the US can't hire enough workers, $4 reports.
- The
Tampax manufacturer in Maine recently raised its starting salary from $47,000 to $60,800 a year.
The only Tampax
While the plant's hiring challenges are far from unique in today's tight labor market, it comes as $4 hit certain regions across the country. At the same time, the price of a box of tampons has increased by nearly 10% this year, according to $4 from Neilson IQ.
Last year, the Tampax factory located in Auburn, Maine raised its hourly wages from $4 in February to $4 in July, employee Facebook posts show. By January, workers received $4 along with a benefits package including medical and dental insurance, 15 paid vacation days and 12 paid holidays, an education reimbursement plan, 401k options, and a free fitness center.
Procter & Gamble — the company that owns Tampax — currently lists five full-time positions open at the Maine plant. A P&G spokesperson told Bloomberg that the factory's employee levels have "largely stabilized."
However, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that the factory continues to be short-staffed. P&G did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
Tampax is the most popular tampon brand in the US. In 2020, its products were used by an estimated $4 women in the US, according to data from Statista. In April, Procter & Gamble's chief financial officer said sourcing the raw materials for tampons "continues to be costly and highly volatile."
Walgreens $4 Insider in early June that it is "experiencing some temporary brand-specific shortages in certain geographies" of tampons. CVS confirmed a similar trend, saying "in recent weeks, there have been instances when suppliers have not been able to fulfill the full quantities of orders placed."
Target told Insider it has a "wide variety" product available online and in stores and is working to procure more in areas where stock is more limited.