Brewdog announces job cuts after posting £37m loss

Brewdog announces job cuts after posting £37m loss

Scottish brewing magnate Brewdog has recently declared its decision to implement job cuts across the company following a significant £37m loss last year. This marks the fifth consecutive year that the company, headquartered in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, has reported pre-tax losses, amounting to a total of £148m. Specific details regarding the number of jobs affected have not been disclosed, with employees being informed of the impending cuts via an email from CEO James Taylor. This announcement comes in the wake of co-founder Martin Dickie’s departure and the closure of 10 Brewdog bars throughout the UK earlier in the year.

In an effort to streamline operations, CEO James Taylor communicated to staff the difficult but necessary decision to “right-size” various areas of the business. Taylor emphasized the importance of evaluating the company’s structure and channeling resources into priority areas. Acknowledging the impact of these changes on multiple departments, Taylor asserted that while such decisions are challenging, they are crucial for simplifying operations, maintaining focus, and propelling the business forward. Trade union Unite expressed concerns about potential job losses at Brewdog’s Ellon brewery, cautioning that this development signals worrisome times ahead for the company’s future.

The recent workforce reductions coincide with the sale of the Kinrara rewilding estate in the Scottish Highlands, which Brewdog purchased for £8.8m in 2020 and christened the “Lost Forest.” Originally intended to become the UK’s largest native woodland and peatland restoration project, underpinned by sales of the Lost Forest lager, the venture faced criticism as newly-planted trees failed to thrive, and plans for an eco-hotel, distillery, and outdoor center were scrapped. The estate, situated near Aviemore, has since been acquired by land investment firm Oxygen Conservation.

Founded in 2007 by friends James Watt and Martin Dickie, Brewdog has established a reputation for its craft beers and IPAs, operating breweries and pubs worldwide, with approximately 60 locations in the UK alone. The company has garnered attention in recent years for its innovative marketing campaigns and distinctive workplace culture. Notably, the firm faced public backlash in January last year when it divulged its decision to discontinue hiring new employees at the real living wage, opting instead for the legal minimum wage. James Watt transitioned from his role as CEO in the past year, assuming a newly-created position as “captain and co-founder,” while retaining ownership stake in the company

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