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Brown-Forman to Cut 12% of Staff, Close Louisville Cooperage
In another sign that tough times are ahead for the Bourbon industry, Brown-Forman today announced plans to cut 12% of its global workforce, meaning approximately 650 people will lose their jobs. The company will also close its cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky, affecting some 210 workers.
In a statement, the company projected cost savings of $70 million annually by sourcing barrels from an outside supplier, likely to be Independent Stave Company. Brown-Forman had already sold off its Jack Daniel Cooperage in Alabama, and is the only U.S. distiller making its own barrels. The cooperage is expected to close by April 25, with affected employees receiving severance packages.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to our employees, particularly those impacted by these changes, for their dedication and contributions to Brown‑Forman,” CEO Lawson Whiting said in a statement. “We are committed to supporting them through this transition and are confident that these strategic initiatives will ensure the company endures for generations to come.”
WhiskyCast has reached out to Brown-Forman executives for an interview. According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, the company has closed its offices in Louisville until January 20, with employees expected to work remotely.
Links: Brown-Forman
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