Samsung is pulling up stakes in New Jersey and heading to Texas, a move that could leave roughly 1,000 Garden State workers facing a stark choice: relocate or risk losing their jobs.
The South Korean tech giant confirmed this week that it will move its US headquarters from Englewood Cliffs, NJ, to its existing campus in Plano, Texas, marking a stunning reversal less than a year after it celebrated the opening of a new headquarters in Bergen County.
The relocation, which was reported by NJ.com, is expected to be completed by the end of the year, according to company statements.
The move will end a headquarters presence in Bergen County that dates back more than three decades.
Samsung established a foothold in the area in the 1980s and operated its Ridgefield Park headquarters from the early 1990s before relocating to Englewood Cliffs last year.
“Samsung Electronics America Inc. is undergoing a business transformation designed to better position our organization for long-term growth and future success,” the company told local media in Seoul.
“As part of this effort, we are relocating our US headquarters from New Jersey to our existing campus in Plano, Texas, building on our 30-year presence in the state.”
Samsung held a grand opening for its new Englewood Cliffs campus less than a year ago, drawing state and local officials who praised the facility and the jobs it supported.
State and local officials hailed the September opening of Samsung’s Englewood Cliffs headquarters, which was described at the time as home to roughly 1,200 employees.
The company has not said whether it will completely abandon the 321,000-square-foot New Jersey facility once the headquarters relocation is complete.
The announcement sparked fresh criticism of New Jersey’s business environment after another major corporate departure from the state.
The New Jersey Business & Industry Association told News 12 New Jersey in a statement that Samsung’s exit reflects longstanding concerns about the state’s competitiveness and what it described as a difficult climate for employers.
The group urged Gov. Mikie Sherrill and state leaders to pursue policies aimed at reducing costs, cutting regulatory red tape and making the state more attractive to businesses.
“Governor Sherrill has signaled the need and desire to improve our business climate, to reduce costs, red tape and other permitting and regulatory burdens,” the organization said in a statement.
“We believe there is reason to be optimistic.”
Sherrill’s office declined to comment publicly on Samsung’s decision.
The move comes at an awkward moment for New Jersey officials who only months ago touted Samsung’s investment in the state as evidence of its long-term commitment to the region.
Samsung indicated the shift is part of a broader restructuring effort intended to bring teams closer together and streamline operations.
“The transition … is intended to strengthen alignment across teams and offices, and sharpen our focus on the areas that will drive the greatest impact for our customers, partners and business,” the company said.
The company also acknowledged that organizational changes accompanying the move will affect employees.
“As part of this strategy, we will be optimizing parts of the organization to ensure our roles and functions align to key business priorities,” Samsung said.
“We recognize such adjustments will have an impact on our people and we will be providing support to those affected.”
Samsung has not announced any layoffs tied directly to the relocation.
Still, reports indicate approximately 1,000 employees based in New Jersey could be affected by the move, forcing many workers to decide whether to relocate to Texas.
The decision further strengthens Samsung’s footprint in North Texas, where the company has spent years expanding its operations.
Samsung consolidated much of its North Texas office presence in Plano’s Legacy Central development in 2019 before adding additional office space in subsequent years.
The company also maintains significant operations elsewhere in Texas, including semiconductor-related investments near Austin.
Samsung’s move adds to Plano’s growing reputation as a corporate hub.
Earlier this year, Yum Brands announced plans to relocate KFC’s US headquarters to Plano, while AT&T said it would move its global headquarters there by 2028.
The relocation places Samsung’s US headquarters closer to those operations while positioning it near major corporate partners and customers in the region.
“Samsung remains committed to its investments across the United States as we build a stronger foundation for innovation, operational excellence and sustainable growth,” the company said.
