Heineken won’t shut down as widely reported
Following reports that Heineken South Africa has been forced to shut down production entirely, the beer brand has confirmed that they will not be shutting down as widely reported.
In a press release, Heineken SA states that despite the incredibly tough challenges it is facing, they remain committed to long-term investment in SA.
The Heineken portfolio includes Heineken, Amstel, Windhoek, Sol, Miller Genuine Draft, Strongbow Cider, Soweto Gold and Tafel.
However, due to difficult micro & macro-environment challenges, and with the additional strain brought on by the Covid-19 lockdown with restrictions on alcohol sales, it cautioned that it has had to reassess a number of its expansion ambitions including exploring the establishment of a brewery in Kwazulu-Natal.
The ban is placing immense pressure on the industry to retain jobs, create new ones and contribute to the local economy.
“Local production is hampered, resulting in ongoing efforts by the business to implement cost-cutting measures including, but not limited to, salary cuts as we desperately attempt to protect the jobs of more than 900 employees.
— Heineken SA (@Heineken_SA) August 3, 2020
“Approximately 117 000 jobs were lost in the industry during the first ban on alcohol sales.
“Currently, countless businesses that rely on Heineken have had to close their doors or scale down their operations because of the sudden nature of the government’s decision to stop the sale of alcohol.
“This has caused job losses and untold suffering, stress and panic, with an estimated one million livelihoods at risks,” Heineken said.
“We are willing to work with government on specific issues that negatively affect our society. The industry demonstrated its commitment in the initial resumption of trade, by delivering numerous solutions to ensure safe and responsible trading throughout our value chain. We urge the government to prioritise both lives and livelihoods at this time,” the beer brand states its press release.
For more information, visit the official Heineken website by clicking here.
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