By Lewis Loflin
Bristol Compressors, a significant employer in Southwest Virginia, closed its operations in November 2018, affecting 468 jobs, which represented 13% of Washington County’s manufacturing workforce. The company, which had received support totaling over $4.6 million since 1998, including $2 million in incentives and a $650,000 tax settlement from a mid-2000s dispute, was acquired by Thailand’s Kulthorn Kirby Public Co. Ltd. By 2020, production, along with equipment, intellectual property, and the Bristol brand, had transitioned to Bangkok. This followed earlier workforce adjustments, including reductions of 250 employees in 2012 and 180 in 2016, as the company navigated economic challenges and shifts in market demand.
Kulthorn Kirby has officially commenced production of Bristol Compressors in Thailand following its acquisition of the US manufacturer in 2018 and subsequent transfer of operations to Bangkok. —Cooling Post, September 14, 2020
CEO John Wadsworth had previously highlighted the dedication of the workforce and the company’s ties to the community. The closure, attributed to a challenging economy and market changes in the Middle East, marked a significant transition for the region. Washington County’s $650,000 tax settlement with BC Liquidations Inc., following earlier commitments to support the company, reflected efforts to address past financial disputes during this period of change.
Bristol Compressors had received various forms of support over the years to sustain its operations, including $45,000 from SVAM in 2009 for training 194 workers and a total of $4.6 million in local government assistance since 1998. Following Kulthorn Kirby’s 2018 acquisition, production moved to Thailand by 2020, reflecting a broader trend of global manufacturing shifts. During the same period, other companies in the region, such as Exide (233 jobs), Brightpoint (613 jobs), and Pfizer (270 jobs), also adjusted their operations, as noted by the Kingsport Times-News on December 6, 2011. These changes highlight the evolving economic landscape in Southwest Virginia and the need for adaptive strategies to support local communities.
Southwest Virginia continues to navigate economic transitions, focusing on new opportunities to support its workforce and communities.
The relocation of manufacturing operations like Bristol Compressors reflects global economic trends that have impacted many regions. In 2025, new tariffs introduced by the Trump administration, which led to a $5 trillion S&P 500 adjustment this week according to Reuters on April 4, aim to encourage domestic manufacturing by taxing imports. While these measures come after Bristol Compressors’ production moved to Thailand, they represent an opportunity for Southwest Virginia to attract new industries in the future. Local support, such as the $650,000 tax settlement, demonstrates efforts to balance economic challenges with community needs during such transitions.
The Tri-Cities labor market has experienced changes following closures like Bristol Compressors. From 247,965 workers in 2009, the labor force decreased to 193,170 by 2019—a decline of 54,795—according to Dr. Steb Hipple’s 2016 data. By 2025, this figure is estimated to have dropped further to around 187,000, reflecting ongoing economic adjustments. In the Bristol TN-VA MSA, the workforce fell from 118,470 in 2016 ($15.27/hour) to 116,150 in 2018 ($16.50/hour), and is now estimated at 113,000 in 2025 ($17.33/hour). The Johnson City MSA workforce decreased from 78,140 in 2016 ($14.47/hour) to 77,020 in 2018 ($15.38/hour), now approximately 74,500 in 2025 ($16.15/hour). Meanwhile, per capita income in Bristol, VA, has grown from $21,589 in 2018 to an estimated $27,000 in 2025, adjusted for 3% annual inflation, showing gradual economic improvement. For more on regional trends, see Three Decades of Economic Transitions.
Southwest Virginia, including areas like Smyth County (see Smyth County Job Transitions), is adapting to economic shifts with resilience. The region is focusing on leveraging new policies, such as tariffs, to encourage manufacturing growth, while fostering community initiatives to support workers. Bristol Compressors’ transition to Thailand underscores the need for innovative strategies to ensure sustainable economic development, and Southwest Virginia remains committed to building a stronger future for its residents.
Acknowledgment: I’d like to thank Grok, an AI by xAI, for helping me draft and refine this article. The final edits and perspective are my own.
