E-Malt.com News article: USA: AB InBev to idle bottling line in Newark, New Jersey and lay off 60 employees

Anheuser-Busch InBev plans to idle its bottling line in Newark, New Jersey, by the end of the first quarter, resulting in 60 layoffs, St. Louis Business Journal reported on January 22.

The Newark brewery produces several brands, the company said, including Budweiser and Bud Light.

"We are always looking for ways to improve the way we do business, and this includes optimizing the capabilities of our brewery system to meet consumer and geographic needs," Kevin Lee, general manager of the Newark brewery, said in a statement, adding that the decision to idle the line was made "after a thorough study."

"... We will move equipment that adds value to another brewery. For example, we plan to relocate the bottle line's multi-packer to Williamsburg," Lee said.

In November the Business Journal reported that recent A-B layoffs affected at minimum many dozens of employees across numerous departments, including information technology; field sales; procurement; and brand, experiential and trade marketing. Many of those cuts, but not all, were in St. Louis. The company closed its regional sales office in Charlotte, North Carolina, for example. However, last month the company announced it plans to invest $150 million to expand its metal container facility in Arnold, adding 70 jobs.

Belgium-based Anheuser-Busch InBev has its North American headquarters in St. Louis. The company reported third-quarter profit of $2.3 billion on revenue of $12.2 billion.


23 January, 2015