Marijuana packaging firm KushCo lays off 49, blames COVID-19

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KushCo Holdings, a cannabis company specializing in ancillary products such as packaging, on Thursday said it laid off 49 employees this month as the California company’s CEO noted that “the COVID-19 pandemic creates ever-increasing uncertainty in the cannabis industry.”

The layoffs will save the company about $4 million, according to a company news release.

Since last September, the company has cut its workforce by about 50%, saving it roughly $12 million a year, according to the release.

The company also announced it is making changes to its leadership team and will focus on serving larger companies, such as marijuana multistate operators, rather than smaller clients.

In addition to the layoffs and focusing on serving MSOs, CEO Nick Kovacevich said in a statement that KushCo ‘s actions are intended to “significantly reduce our overhead” and include:

  • Downsizing the company’s warehouse footprint.
  • Reducing inventory.

The company said its large “core” customers generated $52 million, or 80% of its revenue, in the first half of its fiscal 2020.

KushCo also announced that Stephen Christoffersen, executive vice president of corporate development, has been appointed chief financial officer.

He replaces the current CFO, Christopher Tedford, who will leave the company April 10.

KushCo trades on the over-the-counter exchanges as KSHB.

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