Mars is looking to shut a Ben’s Original factory in Belgium, placing approximately 80 positions in jeopardy. In a statement yesterday (12 November), the US company announced plans to “carry out a collective redundancy" at the plant in the town of Olen by the end of next year. Mars, present in Belgium since 1962, attributed the decision to economic reasons, citing a “sharp decline in production volumes” and a “sharp rise in costs”. The reasons, it said, led to “underutilisation of the plant and has a sig ...

Group 1 - Stock Spirits Group will close its production facility in Hamburg, Germany, due to increasing costs, with the closure planned for early 2027 [1][2] - The decision is described as "difficult" and is influenced by pressures in the spirits industry, including changing consumer behavior and rising operational costs [1][2] - The closure is deemed necessary for the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of the group [2] Group 2 - The Hamburg plant currently employs 36 people, and the company previously closed its Baltic Distillery in Dettmannsdorf, which employed 35 staff [2] - The Hamburg facility primarily produced pure alcohol for Stock Spirits' products [3] - Stock Spirits has strengthened its presence in the UK through the acquisition of The Drinks Company, an importer and distributor [3]