India: United Breweries lays off more than 150 employees, mostly senior and mid-level executives

India’s United Breweries, the maker of the Kingfisher beer, has laid off more than 150 employees, mostly senior and mid-level executives, to reduce cost and create a leaner structure amid an uncertain demand outlook in the beer segment, people with knowledge of the matter said.

The laid-off employees accounted for about 5% of the nearly 3,000 people employed by the country's largest brewer, The Economic Times reported on December 1.

"United Breweries Ltd has reviewed its organisation structure to ensure it is lean, efficient and future-ready in light of the rapidly evolving market circumstances. It is a result of a comprehensive review of the organisation structure which is a part of a broader project that began last year. As an outcome of this review, some positions have been impacted," said a UB spokesperson, who did not specify how many people were laid off.

In June, Dutch multinational Heineken had taken full control of UB, the erstwhile flagship brand of Vijay Mallya's UB Group.

The Bengaluru-based company said the restructuring was not triggered by the Heineken acquisition.

The retrenched employees have been extended support including severance benefits, access to outplacement services, health benefits and counselling services through the transition, the company said.

01 December, 2021