Hello Bello Shuts Down Diaper Manufacturing Lines in Waco, 67 Jobs Affected

Hello Bello, the baby product company co-founded by actors Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, is making a significant change to its operations. The company is shutting down the diaper manufacturing lines at its Waco, Texas facility. While the facility isn't closing entirely, this decision will lead to 67 employees being laid off by the end of November.

As reported by KWTX, Hello Bello notified state and local officials on September 28, 2026, about its layoff plans. These job cuts are scheduled to take effect on November 27, 2026. The Waco plant will continue to handle personal care and wipes manufacturing and shipping, but diaper production will now be outsourced to a third-party supplier.

A Facility with High Hopes

The Hello Bello factory in Waco first opened its doors in 2021. It was established in a 312,000-square-foot facility, formerly the Kimberly-Clark building, on Texas Central Parkway. At the time of its launch, company executives expressed ambitious plans, stating the plant would employ hundreds of local workers and bring substantial economic investment to McLennan County.

The initial idea was for Hello Bello, which started in 2019, to have its own large-scale production capability, especially for diapers, a core product in its offerings.

Recent Changes and Restructuring

The past few years have been a period of significant change for Hello Bello. The company underwent a major corporate restructuring. In late 2023, it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Shortly after, it was acquired by the private equity firm Hildred Capital Management.

These kinds of corporate shifts often lead to strategic decisions about how to operate most efficiently. Outsourcing diaper production appears to be part of this new direction for the company under its new ownership, aimed at streamlining operations.

Impact on Workers and Available Support

The news of 67 layoffs is a tough blow for the affected families in the Waco region. However, resources are available to help them through this transition. Employees in the Heart of Texas Workforce Development Area who are impacted can access rapid-response employment transition and job-placement services through the Texas Workforce Commission and Workforce Solutions Heart of Texas, as noted by KWTX.

In a broader context, shifts in the job market are common. For example, we recently reported that the U.S. created 29,000 jobs in September, though unemployment saw a slight rise. Such corporate adjustments, while painful locally, are part of an ever-changing economic landscape.

Why it matters

Hello Bello's decision to shut down its diaper manufacturing lines in Waco highlights how companies, even those with celebrity founders, must constantly adapt to market pressures and new corporate structures. For the Waco community, it means a loss of jobs that were once expected to be permanent, serving as a reminder that investment promises can evolve over time. This move reflects a strategy to pursue efficiencies and a more agile business model following its recent restructuring.