Heineken Romania, one of the largest brewers in Romania said it would cast off barley-malting at its breweries in Romania, leaving 61 workers without jobs, in an effort to improve efficiency. The decision will take effect from October 19.
The company produces malt at its breweries in Hateg, Craiova, and Miercurea Ciuc. The decision to halt the malt production was made after a thorough assessment of its financial situation which found that barley production and malting requires high costs, due to high energy and water consumption.
Considering the existent standards, the current malting plant’s capacity is relatively low. Thus, the company will increase imports of malted barley from suppliers.
“Our objective is to run operations in Romania on a long term and in a lucrative and responsible manner. We are here to stay, to bring excellent quality to our consumers. This is why we permanently seek new solutions to improve quality and direct investments more efficiently. The shift to malted barley providers with cutting-edge production equipment will bring us closer to achieving this objective. Furthermore, it will allow us to focus on our basic operations, the art of brewing for which Heineken is famous both in Romania and across the world”, said Jan Derck van Karnebeek (photo), chief executive of Heineken Romania.
Following the shut down of its malting operations in Romania, 61 jobs will be axed. “In an effort to minimize the social impact, the employees affected by the decision will receive career counseling and assistance in seeking a new job. We also agreed with the trade unions on the severances to be granted to them, following the termination of the employment contracts”, Jan Derck van Karnebeek added.
Heineken has five breweries in Romania, in Constanta, Craiova, Hateg, Miercurea-Ciuc and Targu Mures and around 1,300 employees. Its pro
