Dutch brewer Heineken has announced it will cut 5.000 to 6.000 jobs over the next two years, citing a more challenging environment and the need to reduce costs. The group says it wants to accelerate a large-scale productivity plan, just weeks after the surprise announcement of the departure of its CEO, Dolf van den Brink.
A restructuring to regain profit margins
The company, the world's second-largest brewer after AB InBev, is seeking significant cost savings as its beer volumes are projected to decline in 2025, particularly in Europe and the Americas. The group remains cautious about short-term market developments, believing that demand remains fragile in several key regions.
Heineken, which employs approximately 87.000 people worldwide, did not specify which countries or job roles would be most affected. However, the chief financial officer suggested that Europe could be at the heart of the measures, as this region represents a significant portion of the group's business and is considered less favorable in terms of operational leverage.
The plan comes as the brewer publishes mixed results: a year-on-year decline in revenue, but improved profitability indicators. For 2026, Heineken is now targeting an increase in operating profit of between 2% and 6%, a sign of a more defensive strategy in the face of a sluggish beer market.
