Strategic Downsizing: The Medford Closure and Operational Realignment
Across several major industries, corporate giants are navigating a complex landscape marked by declining sales, strategic reconfigurations, and the disruptive influence of shifting consumer preferences and external controversies. Beverage manufacturers, long stalwarts of consistent demand, are feeling particular pressure, leading to difficult decisions regarding production facilities and workforce size.
Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s largest brewer, has been actively assessing its operational footprint in response to soft consumer demand and a challenging market environment. As part of this evaluation, the company recently filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN notice, signaling plans to close a distribution facility located in Medford, Massachusetts.
The closure of the Medford facility is slated to occur during the first two weeks of November. This permanent change will result in the loss of 193 jobs. Anheuser-Busch has indicated that the operations currently handled there will be consolidated and moved to wholesaler Quality Beverage, which is located in the same geographic region, according to a statement the company provided to Food Dive.
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The brewer has seen its overall beer volumes decline in recent periods. Its most recent earnings report earlier this month indicated a 1.3% drop in beer volumes during the last quarter. This trend reflects broader pressures within the beer category as companies grapple with evolving consumer tastes and economic uncertainties.
Simon Wuestenberg, the U.S. chief sales officer at AB InBev, stated that the decision to shutter the Medford facility was made after assessing the company’s “operational footprint to ensure our entire system is set-up for long term success.” He emphasized that consolidating operations at another distributor is intended to help the company continue to drive growth in the long term.
This move follows a period of declining beer sales that has been observed since early 2023. This downturn was notably spurred in part by a highly publicized boycott related to the Bud Light brand. Last year, in a separate cost-cutting measure, AB InBev also laid off less than 2% of its corporate workforce.
The company has also reportedly ceded market share within the traditional beer segment to competitors. Rivals such as Molson Coors and Constellation Brands have reportedly gained ground as AB InBev navigates these challenges. These competitive pressures add another layer to the strategic considerations facing the brewer.
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Despite the headwinds facing some parts of the business, AB InBev CEO Michael Doukeris offered an optimistic outlook for the broader industry during the company’s most recent earnings call. He expressed confidence in the long-term prospects, highlighting positive trends he perceives.
“We see some good premiumization in the industry. We see beer in terms of dollars consistently growing,” Mr. Doukeris told investors. He also noted, “And now in the last quarters, we see beer gaining share of value.”
Furthermore, Mr. Doukeris pointed to the performance of ready-to-drink products, stating, “And we see that when you combine with the RTDs, there is a very good momentum there for the brewers in terms of capturing volume and dollars in the industry.” This suggests a strategic focus on diversifying beyond traditional beer.
Anheuser-Busch has also made tangible investments aimed at fostering growth in areas outside its historical core beer brands. Last year, the company invested $13 million in projects at its Cartersville Brewery near Atlanta. This facility is involved in producing the company’s Kona Big Wave craft beer, alongside hard seltzer and canned cocktail brands, highlighting a push into newer beverage categories.
Expanding its infrastructure for future growth, the company also announced a $22.5 million investment in August 2023. This funding was directed towards significant upgrades at its Houston brewery, another strategic move to enhance production capabilities.
However, the challenges in the traditional beer market persist, particularly for the Bud Light brand. According to a former Anheuser-Busch executive, the brand has not yet recuperated from the highly publicized controversy that emerged in 2023.
Anson Frericks, who previously served as President of Operations for Anheuser-Busch, stated during an interview on FOX Business’ “Varney & Co.” that Bud Light “haven’t at all [recovered].” He indicated that the brand continues to “shed customers” in the wake of the controversy.
The impact of the partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in 2023 was significant, reportedly sparking widespread outrage among some consumers. This backlash is cited as resulting in declines across sales, customer base, and shareholder value for the company.
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Specific data points underscore the magnitude of the decline. According to numbers provided to FOX Business by Bump Williams Consulting, which analyzed NielsenIQ data, Bud Light sales were down 29.9% year-over-year for the week ending January 20, 2024, when compared to the same period in the previous year.
The former executive highlighted the scale of the customer loss, noting, “I think that’s one of the most interesting parts about this story is that they lost 30% of their customers.” He added that this translated into “Millions of customers, billions of dollars of shareholder value over the last couple of years.”
As a result of these pressures, Bud Light has seen its leading position in the market eroded. The brand has reportedly been surpassed in sales volume by rivals such as Michelob Ultra and Modelo Especial, marking a significant shift in the competitive landscape.
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Efforts to recover market position through advertising, including campaigns featuring figures like Shane Gillis and Post Malone, have been noted. Mr. Frericks acknowledged that the commercials are “pretty good” and that personalities like Shane Gillis represent a stark contrast to the influencer originally involved in the controversial partnership.
However, Mr. Frericks pointed to a deeper issue facing the brand. He articulated the dilemma Bud Light faces regarding its future identity and vision, stating, “Their customers are asking them, ‘hey, what is Bud Light going to be moving forward? Is it gonna be more than Shane Gillis and fun in football, or is it Dylan Mulvaney?’”
The former executive expressed doubt about the brand’s ability to fully regain its lost customer base without clear messaging on its future direction. He concluded, “Until the company really comes back and says clearly what Bud Light is going to be? I don’t know if any of their loyal customers are going to come back.
Beyond sales and distribution, Anheuser-Busch is also adjusting its raw material sourcing operations. The company recently announced plans to close its malt house located in Moorhead, Minnesota, and to sell its grain elevators in West Fargo and Sutton, North Dakota.
Supply Chain Shift: From In-House Malting to Third-Party Partnerships
This strategic adjustment is a result of an agreement with Rahr Malting Co. Under this arrangement, Rahr Malting will assume the full capacity of malt production previously handled at the Moorhead facility. New supplies of barley from North Dakota and Minnesota growers will be redirected to Rahr’s Shakopee, Minnesota, malt house beginning in 2025.
The company noted that it utilizes both internal malting capacity and third-party partners for its operations. Nicole Zaharadka, director of agronomy for Anheuser-Busch, issued a statement explaining the move as part of building “toward a strong future,” which involves updating malting operations and expanding a “decades-long relationship with Rahr, a trusted partner and leading malting company.
Anheuser-Busch maintains its commitment to its grower partners in the Midwest, including North Dakota and Minnesota. Ms. Zaharadka stated, “Anheuser-Busch purchases, on average, more than $50 million a year in barley from our 250+ grower partners across the Midwest, including North Dakota and Minnesota, which is more than any other brewer, and this will not change.” She added, “We remain committed to supporting our grower partners and will continue to source directly from them as we have for the past 165 years.”
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The spokesperson expressed confidence that “the actions we’re taking now will allow us to even better serve our customers while also becoming a stronger company and industry leader.” The Moorhead facility, built in 1978, processes approximately 8 million bushels of barley annually, which supports the production of about 2 billion bottles of beer elsewhere.
This shift in barley sourcing comes about a year after farmers in the region who had contracted with Anheuser-Busch reported changes to their contract offers. Farmers indicated that subsequent contract proposals in early 2024 would have required them to store harvested barley for periods exceeding eight months before delivery.
Some farmers in response reportedly opted to contract their barley acres with other companies, including Constellation Brands, known for beers like Modelo and Corona. These changes in contracting practices followed industry reports of decreased demand for malting barley, driven by lower overall beer sales as consumer preferences have shifted towards alternative beverages such as seltzer, mixed drinks, and other liquors.
Compounding the issue, the beer industry faced a surplus of barley in early 2024. This oversupply was a consequence of particularly large and high-quality crops harvested in both 2022 and 2023, according to industry reports. The supply dynamics added pressure to the demand side challenges.
The broader impact on agricultural output is evident in national statistics. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Ag Statistics Service, U.S. farmers harvested only 1.875 million acres of barley in 2024. This figure represents a sharp decline from the 2.574 million acres harvested in 2023.
Notably, the 2024 harvested acreage stands as the lowest recorded in USDA records dating back to 1878. North Dakota, historically the second-largest barley producer in the U.S. after Montana, dropped to third place below Idaho in 2024, harvesting only 285,000 acres compared to 570,000 in 2023 and 650,000 in 2022.
Regarding the employment implications at the Moorhead plant, an Anheuser-Busch spokesperson provided a statement. They acknowledged the significance of the announcement “for our people and communities.” The spokesperson stated, “we are committed to ensuring that this transition is as smooth as possible for our employees.”
Diversification Drive: The LA Brewery Expansion and RTD Revolution
While scaling back some operations, Anheuser-Busch is also making investments in growth areas. AB InBev is funding a $16 million expansion at its Los Angeles brewery, targeting the burgeoning “beyond beer” category. This investment aims to boost capacity for ready-to-drink canned cocktails like Cutwater and Nütrl vodka seltzer.
The expansion also includes upgrades to improve production capabilities for 25-ounce cans, a size for which consumer demand has reportedly increased. Additionally, the investment covers facility improvements focused on water conservation and reducing emissions, aligning with broader corporate sustainability goals.
Eric Gutierrez, the facility’s general manager, commented on the significance of the investment in a press release. He stated, “This is a pivotal moment for the Los Angeles brewery.” Mr. Gutierrez added, “These investments equip us with the unique opportunity to stay at the forefront of brewing excellence and innovate in new ways that meet consumer needs.”
The Los Angeles brewery has been in operation since 1954 and is one of fourteen Anheuser-Busch owns in California. The investment here contrasts with the closures seen elsewhere as the company strategically navigates the evolving alcohol landscape.
Anheuser-Busch’s journey underscores the delicate balance between legacy and innovation in an industry under siege. While the Bud Light brand struggles to recover, the company’s investments in new categories and sustainable brewing practices hint at a path forward. As AB InBev restructures its operations—closing outdated facilities while expanding in growth areas—it’s betting that strategic agility will allow it to weather short-term storms and emerge as a more diversified, resilient player in the global beverage market.
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